860H.01/583: Telegram
The Ambassador to the Yugoslav Government in Exile (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—1:47 a.m.]
8. Yugoslav Series. In a declaration described in advance as “an important announcement” broadcast yesterday by the “Free Yugoslavia” radio station, the anti-Fascist Council for National Liberation, after reviewing accomplishments of Partisans during last 2 years, states that “on the eve of final expulsion of occupants from the country, people of Yugoslavia demand justifiably creation of a state organization which would guarantee equality to all peoples of Yugoslavia” and “peoples of Yugoslavia expect from Allies and all their friends recognition not only of their fight against occupants but also their free democratic will and cessation of support to treacherous Yugoslav Government and clique around it” accusing Mihailovitch of “systematically” stirring up fratricidal strife for which Government, of which he is agent, bears responsibility. Declaration continues by denouncing King and monarchy under whose banner “greatest treasons and most atrocious crimes are being committed against people” as a result of which people “want measures taken regarding King and monarchy which accord with people’s fight for liberation”.
It concludes with expressions of friendship for Soviet, Great Britain and U.S., and announcement of five decisions of anti-Fascist Council in substance as follows:
- (1)
- Anti-Fascist Council is to be transformed into a supreme legislative and executive body for Yugoslavia as the highest and sole representative of sovereignty of peoples of country. Council is to form a Yugoslav National Committee of Liberation “with all amenities of a people’s government” through which council will exercise its executive functions.
- (2)
- The Government in exile must be deprived of all rights of representation and government of Yugoslavia including right to represent Yugoslavia abroad.
- (3)
- International treaties and obligations signed by Government in exile on behalf of Yugoslavia will be checked, corrected or re-signed and future treaties and obligations signed by exiled Government will not be recognized.
- (4)
- Yugoslavia is to be built on “democratic and federative principle as a state community of equal peoples”.
Special decrees covering foregoing four decisions will be issued under date of November 29, 1943.
Text of broadcast as received in Cairo will be transmitted by airgram.76
[Page 1034]Commenting on this development the British Ambassador while reserving opinion as to its ultimate effect on his proposals now being considered in London as regards British policy toward Yugoslavia (see my Nos. 4, 5, and 6, Yugoslavia Series) expressed view that appearance of declaration at this time may make it appear that the Partisans are forcing Britain’s hand and thus “complicate matters”.
- Airgram No. 2, December 20, 1943, 11 a.m., not printed.↩