860H.248/11–2144
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The Department of State refers to the aide-mémoire of the British Embassy dated November 21, 1944,94 inquiring whether the United States Government approves the equipment by the British Government of three to four single-engined fighter squadrons for the Yugoslav armed forces, in connection with a proposal envisaging the organization, equipment and training of the Yugoslav air and naval forces by Great Britain and similar undertakings by the Soviet Union with respect to the Yugoslav land forces. In the implementation of this arrangement senior British naval and air force officers and senior officers of the Soviet Army would be appointed, to advise the Yugoslav Government on the initial strength, composition and organization of the Yugoslav armed forces.
Since the proposal of the British Government presents a question having both military and political aspects, the matter has been referred to the appropriate American military authorities for their comment. The Embassy will subsequently be informed of whatever observations the American military authorities may wish to make.
The Department is, of course, in full agreement that military aid should be extended to Yugoslavia, and that coordination of effort should be so planned as to contribute effectively to the conduct of the war against Germany. Since recent events appear to have indicated that, presumably for political reasons, there has been some unwillingness in Yugoslavia to coordinate operations with the plans of the Allied forces in the Mediterranean, it is hoped that in future arrangements with the Yugoslav authorities advantage will be taken of any opportunity to require some undertaking on their part that Allied aid will be utilized, under appropriate plans for coordination, in furtherance of the general conduct of the war against Germany.
[Page 1427]With regard to the political aspects of the proposal the Department observes that, as stated in the Embassy’s aide-mémoire, the question is related to an agreement reached in Moscow between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union concerning a common policy in Yugoslavia, and that the proposed arrangement is presented as an appropriate division of responsibility under that agreement between the two Governments. This raises certain questions of broader policy. While the Department is indeed anxious to lend its support to plans of immediate usefulness in the common prosecution of the war, it feels that the contemplated arrangement between the British and Soviet Governments, reaching as it does into the postwar period, involves political questions of considerable importance with regard to the future of Yugoslavia. Subject to such observations as the American military authorities may make as regards the military factors involved, the Department would raise no objection to the proposal as outlined in the Embassy’s aide-mémoire, except that, at this stage of the liberation of Yugoslavia, the Department feels that it should reserve its position as regards subsequent developments under any political arrangement which might lead to a situation prejudicial to the freedom of action under which the people of Yugoslavia themselves should determine the means of securing their future welfare and security.
- Not printed.↩