750G.00/10–853: Telegram

No. 127
The Chargé in Yugoslavia (Wallner) to the Department of State1
top secret
niact

419. Mallet and I made presentation to Tito.2 Bebler was present.

Tito was calm throughout. He said he must consult his government and would give us answer tomorrow. He gave no indication regarding either annexation or military action. His personal view was that this was not a solution acceptable to Yugoslavia and our decision would not lead to desired ends. It was temporary in character since it did not repudiate 1948 Declaration, gave Italy new positions and would encourage her exhibitions for more Yugoslav territory.

We emphasized our intention that solution should be permanent as evidenced by our decision to support no Italian territorial claim. Tito said that while he accepted our intentions he was doubtful of our ability to carry them through.

Tito asked when we would publish communiqué3 (we gave him copy) and we replied perhaps very soon. He suggested that we might care to wait until we had his answer as he planned to publish a communiqué also.

Wallner
  1. Repeated for information to Rome, Paris, London, and Moscow, eyes only for the respective Ambassadors, and to Trieste eyes only for the Political Adviser.
  2. Reference is to the oral presentation described in Document 124.
  3. For text, see Document 130.