No. 134
Editorial Note
The Yugoslav Government response to the October 8 announcement by the United Kingdom and the United States led to discussions within the United States Government regarding the possibility of delaying the shipment to Yugoslavia of United States military equipment.
On October 12, Chargé d’Affaires Woodruff Wallner reported that, in light of the violent Yugoslav response to the October 8 announcement, he had asked United States military authorities in Belgrade to postpone the departure from Germany of three military aircraft to be sent to Belgrade. He had also requested that the formal transfer to Yugoslavia of three jet training planes, which had already arrived, be delayed. (Telegram 465 from Belgrade, October 12; 768.5 MSP/10–1253) On the next day, however, Wallner informed the Department of State that after further consideration, he and the United States military authorities believed there was no need to detain the military aircraft in Germany and, in general, military aid shipments to Yugoslavia should continue unless and until an overall policy decision to the contrary was taken. (Telegram 471 from Belgrade, October 13; 768.5 MSP/10–1353)
[Page 314]The Department of State apparently disregarded or did not understand this second message, for it notified Wallner on October 13 that it approved his action, as reported in telegrams 465 and 471, “requesting postponement delivery aircraft to Yugoslavia, and is requesting Defense take necessary action delay all military deliveries to Yugoslavia for time being.” (Telegram 422 to Belgrade, October 13; 768.5 MSP/10–1353) In a letter to Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Nash on October 13, Assistant Secretary of State Livingston Merchant requested, on the authority of the Secretary of State, that “steps be taken immediately by the Department of Defense without ostentation or any publicity to delay the delivery of any shipments of military end items or equipment destined for Yugoslavia and now en route to that country.” Merchant noted further, “In light of the present impasse, I am sure you fully understand the reasons for this request and likewise for the importance that there be no public disclosure that the request has been made or that action has been taken on it.” (768.5 MSP/10–1353)