868.03/11–2250
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Allen) to the Yugoslav Deputy Foreign Minister (Mates)1
Dear Mr. Minister: The Embassy of the United States of America desires to ascertain, with regard to the foodstuffs which the United States Government is directly or indirectly making available to help prevent human suffering in Yugoslavia this coming winter, that the understanding reached during our conversations concerning the handling and distribution of these foodstuffs is as follows:
It will be possible for officials of the United States Government and representatives of the United States press freely to observe the receipt and distribution of this assistance with a view to noting that it is equitably distributed among the population of Yugoslavia; that these United States officials shall have opportunity to make their observations known to, and to discuss the necessary supply and transportation arrangements with, the appropriate Yugoslav officials; and that the Government of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia is prepared to provide periodic reports concerning the use made of this assistance.
It is also understood that The Government of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia concurs that the source and character of this assistance should become known to the Yugoslav people and is prepared to give full publicity to it and to afford the United States Government opportunity to give similar publicity, including the use of special labels or other designations on the packaging of the foodstuffs being made available.
I should be glad to have your confirmation of the foregoing understanding.
I take [etc.]
- In a note of November 21, Deputy Foreign
Minister Mates acknowledged the receipt of this note, quoted the
text in full, and stated that the Yugoslav Government was in full
agreement with the text. The texts of both notes were subsequently
released to the press on December 4. The exchange of notes was
formally published as 1 UST 757,
TIAS 2146, and 93 UNTS 39. The source text, a certified
copy of Ambassador Allen’s original note, together with Mates’
reply, were transmitted to the Department of State as enclosures to
despatch 374, November 22, from Belgrade, not printed.
In his telegram 533, November 21, from Belgrade, not printed, Ambassador Allen briefly reviewed the discussions with Yugoslav officials eventuating in this exchange of notes. Allen observed in conclusion that in general the Yugoslav Government expressed full understanding and sympathy for American publicity requirements and even felt that observers would be useful in preventing the circulation of false rumors (868.03/11–2150).
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