860H.01/578: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15—9:40 a.m.]
2217. The press today publishes following announcement of the Information Bureau of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs:
“Concerning events in Yugoslavia.
As is now known, at the end of November three [there] took place on the territory of Yugoslavia liberated by the Partisans, the second meeting of the anti-Fascist which [vetch] of Yugoslavia composed of the representatives of all regions of the country. This meeting adopted a resolution concerning the transformation of the anti-Fascist vetch into a supreme legislative and executive organ and created as a temporary government of Yugoslavia a National Committee of Liberation. Representatives of all the peoples of Yugoslavia and all social elements and parties carrying on the struggle for the national liberation of Yugoslavia make up the reelected presidium of the anti-Fascist vetch and also of the National Committee of Liberation. Dr. Evan [Ivan] Ribář, an outstanding political figure of Yugoslavia, was reelected President of the Presidium of the anti-Fascist vetch and the Commander in Chief of the Yugoslav National Liberation Army; Joseph Broz-Tito, who was given the title of Marshal, was chosen head of the National Committee of Liberation. The meeting established the principle of federation for the organization of Yugoslavia.
These events in Yugoslavia, which have already met with a sympathetic response in England and the United States, are regarded by [Page 1026] the Government of the USSR favorable facts which will facilitate the further successful struggle of the peoples of Yugoslavia against Hitlerite Germany. They testify also to the real success of the new leaders of Yugoslavia in the manner of the unification of all the national forces of Yugoslavia.
From the same point of view the activity of the Chetniks of General Mihailović is likewise viewed in the Soviet Union. This activity, according to available information, up to the present has not facilitated but has rather brought harm to the cause of the struggle of the Yugoslav people against the German invaders and therefore could not fail to be received unfavorably in the USSR.
The Soviet Government, considering it essential to receive more detailed information in regard to all Yugoslav events and concerning the Partisan organizations, has decided to send to Yugoslavia a Soviet Military Mission as the British Government has done previously.”