Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

760.5/8–1254: Telegram

No. 699
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Riddleberger) to the Department of State¹

top secret

Belgrade, August 12, 1954—7 p.m.

121. Reference Embassy telegram 11, July 5.² Following from Bled:³

1. Foreign Secretary informed me last night that Tito had received Soviet Ambassador yesterday to give reply to latter’s démarche several weeks ago regarding normalization relations. Foreign Secretary therefore informing United States, United Kingdom, Greek and Turkish Ambassadors as follows.

2. Tito told Valkov, Yugoslav Government willing normalize relations with all countries, including USSR. Recognized that the normalization had been slow, but this could be accelerated if USSR now willing solve several problems with Yugoslav Government. Tito referred particularly to such problems as economic relations, Yugoslav children retained in USSR, treatment Yugoslav citizens in USSR. Yugoslav Government now willing discuss these problems and to move along path of normalization, but at same time made it abundantly clear that Yugoslav Government would maintain its complete independence and in addition intended to continue the close relations developed with its allies and Western friends.

3. Foreign Secretary said that Yugoslav Government had decided to defer its reply to Valkov démarche until after signing Balkan Alliance. He said that problems cited by Tito might give some indication of sincerity Soviet intentions in this field. He asked that this information be kept confidential.

4. I asked if Valkov had given any response and Foreign Secretary replied he had made only very general observation regarding desirability normalizing relations.

Riddleberger

1. Repeated for information to Athens, Ankara, and Moscow.
2. Telegram 11 reported on Tito’s meeting with the Soviet Ambassador several days previously. (768.5/7–554)
3. Riddleberger was in Bled during the final negotiations leading up to the signing of the treaty by Greek, Turkish, and Yugoslav representatives.