611.68/1–2650: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia ( Allen ) to the Secretary of State
97. During hour and half conversation with Tito today we discussed in great frankness and friendliness considerable number of subjects, some of which I shall report in separate telegrams.1
[Page 1358]As regards additional assistance from ITS (Deptel 49 January 242) Tito made no specific requests or suggestions but expressed hope for increased exchange of goods and said close economic relations with US was essential. He believes Soviet Union will do everything in its power to cause Yugoslavia to crumble economically and politically. He regards success or failure of Yugoslav Five Year Plan as supreme test for Yugoslav’s future, with important implications for rest of world as well.
I asked whether he thought USSR and satellites would take only economic and propaganda measures against Yugoslavia. He expressed belief that something was brewing at present. He referred particularly to recent Rumanian action in stopping all rail communications with Yugoslavia and said Soviets would most likely try to produce internal unrest in Yugoslavia through increasing economic difficulties and by infiltrating agitators against regime. He seemed to regard possibility of unrest in Yugoslavia due to economic hardship with some seriousness. He expressed confidence USSR did not want war.
I took occasion to say, in all frankness, that in my own view, outright economic aid from US would face serious difficulties. I referred to considerable opposition in US Congress to aid to Britain when that country is nationalizing industry. I said most Americans consider nationalization poor way to produce wealth, and while they recognized right of Britain to nationalize, they object to having American tax payer subsidize it. I said much greater objection on this score would be raised as regards Yugoslavia.
Tito said he recognized difficulty but that Yugoslavia had no other course than remain Socialist state. I emphasized that we had no desire to try to make Yugoslavia change its system but that frank discussion of difficulties was best basis for friendly relations.
Tito expressed desire to discuss matters of mutual concern frequently.
Basic impression made on me by Tito was one of calmness, competence, and determination.
- In his telegram 98, January 26, from Belgrade, not printed, Ambassador Allen reported that, after discussing matters of direct American-Yugoslav concern with Marshal Tito, he had taken up the question of Greek children removed from Greece during the civil war there. Tito declared that he was firmly attached to the principle that children should be with their parents wherever their parents might be. He stated that most of the Greek children had gone to Czechoslovakia and elsewhere following the break between Yugoslavia and the Cominform nations. A majority of those remaining in Yugoslavia were of Slavic origin and did not wish to return to Greece. He would, however, give instructions immediately to find all genuine Greek children remaining in Yugoslavia whose parents were in Greece and send them back promptly (781.00/1–2650). Telegram 101, January 26, from Belgrade, not printed, reported that Ambassador Allen also raised with Tito the American desire to have an Embassy plane based in Belgrade. Tito replied promptly that he could see no reason why a plane could not be based in Belgrade, provided prescribed regulations were followed (124.682/1–2650). For Ambassador Allen’s report on another aspect of his conversation with Tito, see despatch 106, February 3, from Belgrade, p. 1362.↩
- Supra.↩