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

110.13 MU/9–1854: Telegram

No. 702
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Riddleberger) to the Department of State¹

secret

Belgrade, September 18, 1954—9 a.m.

222. From Murphy.² During lengthy conversation with Tito September 17 preliminary to discussion of Trieste³ Tito commented inter alia as follows:

1. Germany. In his opinion German sovereignty should be restored and West Germany should be given right to re-arm. This should not be done on a hasty improvised basis but according to a carefully planned program. We should comprehend that USSR is determined dominate West Germany. At same time we should have no illusions that restrictions on German freedom to re-arm once established over period of time will prove more symbolic than real. Lengthy maintenance of US forces in Germany essential to success as is command by American SACEUR in NATO.

2. Soviet Union. Since Tito’s break with Stalin in 1948 he has followed evolution of Soviet policy closely. He professed to have no illusions regarding it. He declared that Soviet methods change but not Soviet aims. Among their present aims is continued interference in the internal affairs of other countries including Yugoslavia. Stalin’s death had not changed this fundamental Soviet policy he said.

3. Soviet-Yugoslav relations. Soviet Ambassador Valkov had approached him recently in August with many questions how Soviet-Yugoslav relations could be improved. Tito said that he told him that relations could be normalized but only on basis of no pressure on Yugoslavia, no interference in Yugoslav internal affairs and no change in friendly relations with Western Powers. Tito said he is not deceived by these overtures. There is a difference in Moscow in that since Stalin’s death USSR operates as a committee but the design is about the same. In his opinion however, USSR has abandoned military aggression for the time being and is skillfully exploiting western weaknesses and indecision playing especially on French fear of the Germans.

4. Italy. Tito expressed hope for better relations with Italy.

5. India. He is looking forward to his trip to India, which was probably inspired by Mrs. Pandit’s visit to Yugoslavia in June.⁴

Riddleberger

1. Repeated for information to London, Paris, Bonn, and Rome.
2. Deputy Under Secretary of State Robert Murphy left Washington on Sept. 11 and arrived in Belgrade on Sept. 15 after brief stops in London, Frankfurt, and Bonn. He brought with him a letter from President Eisenhower to Tito, dated Sept. 10, and instructions designed to resolve the few remaining differences between Yugoslavia and Italy regarding Trieste. He left Belgrade on Sept. 18 and proceeded to Rome where he conferred with Italian officials regarding a Trieste settlement. Regarding Murphy’s mission to Belgrade and Rome, see Documents 253 ff.
3. Murphy’s discussion of the Trieste issue with Tito is described in Document 276.
4. See footnote 3, Document 720.