UNSHAKABLE TIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 108, 2 November 1940, Page 9

UNSHAKABLE TIES

TURKEY AND BRITAIN

PRESIDENTS SPEECH

FRIENDSHIP WITH RUSSIA

LONDON,. November 1.

The Turkish President, General Inonu, made a speech to the Turkish Assembly at Ankara today about |Turkey's relations with Britain and Russia. He said that Turkey and Great Britain were closely watching the situation in the Balkans, and though she would not enter the war now, Turkey would remain loyal to her friendship and obligations. "Our ties and collaborations are unshakable," he said.

Talking of Turkey's relations with Soviet Russia, he said: "Our relations with Russia, which have gone through a critical period, have now taken a friendly tone. Turkey's policy in the face of a darkening world is one of security." President Inonu then went on to say: "We have decided to act for the interests of our nation without harming anyone else, and while thinking lof our own welfare we will remain loyal to our friendships and obligations."

He said that at a time when Britain was carrying on a heroic struggle for existence it was his duty to proclaim that the bonds of alliance that connected Turkey to her were solid and unbreakable. The friendship between Tui'key and Russia was a factor of permanent value in a changing world, and it would be maintained independently of all other influences.

Herr yon Papen, Hitler's Ambassador to Turkey, flew to Berlin today to report on Turkey's attitude towards developments in the Balkans.