AT “OPPORTUNE TIME”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 275, 20 November 1943, Page 5

AT “OPPORTUNE TIME”

TURKEY WILL FULFIL HER OBLIGATIONS

Recd. 6 p.m. London, Nov. 18. After a 10-hour secret meeting at Ankara attended by 450 Government deputies, to which the Foreign Minister gave a detailed account of th" Cairo conversations with Mr. Anthony Eden, the following official communique was issued:—

“At the Cairo conference both the international situation and questions resulting from obligations under tne treaty of alliance were examined by the two Foregin Ministers. The Turkish Foreign Minister explained the Turkish attitude within the framework of the treaty. The Government Party group, after receiving full information and debating the matter, unanimously approved the Government's policy." In some quarters the reference to treaty obligations is held to mean that Mr. Eden asked Turkey to fulfil certain obligations arising from the treaty. The Turkish reply is believed to have been that the moment was inopportune. The general feeling appears to be that Turkey is not Backing out of her obligations but is maintaining her viewpoint—that the time for action has not yet come. According to the Turkish newspaper Tanin, M. Menemencioglu, addressing the secret meeting ot Government deputies at Ankara, said:—"Turkey is Britain’s ally, and 'her relations with other countries in no wise modify her obligations under the Anglo-Turkish Alliance. Turkey isn’t neutral as far as the Anglo-German war is concerned."