a mutual assistance pact concluded in Ankara on October 19; it elaborated the Anglo-Turkish and Franco-Turkish declarations signed on May 12 and June 23, 1939, respectively. The treaty provided for British and French assistance to Turkey in the event of aggression against the latter and also provided for Turkish aid in the event of “an act of aggression, committed by a European power and leading to war in the Mediterranean Sea involving France and the United Kingdom.” Turkey was also obligated to give assistance to Greece and Rumania in the event that Great Britain and France were drawn into war in compliance with the British and French guarantees given to these states by declarations of Apr. 13, 1939. The treaty was to be in effect for 15 years. Protocol No. 2 attached to the treaty declared that “the obligations undertaken by Turkey as a result of the aforementioned treaty cannot compel Turkey to take action the result or consequence of which would be to draw it into armed conflict with the USSR.” The treaty had no practical value. During World War II, 1939–45, the Turkish government not only failed to aid the allies, but on June 18, 1941, it signed a friendship treaty with Germany. Turkey supplied Germany with strategic raw materials until the beginning of 1944.

PUBLICATION Izvestiia, Oct. 21, 1939, no. 244.