860H.01/12–844: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser on the Staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater (Kirk), to the Secretary of State
[Received December 10—2:30 a.m.]
1656. Refer my 1650–51 and 52, December 8, midnight.95 Brigadier Maclean yesterday telegraphed to Churchill that during his interview with Tito the latter broached the question of recognition. Maclean referred him to Churchill’s message96 and added that if Tito and Subasic together succeeded in forming a convincing government the British Government would consider granting recognition. Maclean warned Tito that recent events in Yugoslavia did not conform to western ideas of democracy and British Government’s decision would depend greatly on both Tito’s and Subasic’s conduct in formation of a government.
[Page 1428]Tito stated he expected the Government to be formed before the end of the year, that it would consist of 24 members, Tito as Prime Minister, Subasic as Minister of Foreign Affairs, plus 11 Serbs, 7 Croats, 3 Slovenes, 2 Macedonians and 1 Moslem. In addition to himself there would be 2 Communist members.
Maclean reported further that Tito appeared tired and harassed, obliged to delegate responsibility to inadequate subordinates and still suspicious of Allied motives.
Sent to Department; repeated London for Patterson as 168, to Moscow as 158.