Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

740.00119 Control (Italy)/5–2145: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson)

Washington, May 26, 1945—6 p.m.

106. Your 102, May 21. The following is for transmission to the Yugoslav Government⁵⁹ in reply to its note of May 21:

“Careful consideration has been given to the reply of the Yugoslav Government of May 21 concerning the occupation and interim administration of Venezia Giulia. It is gratifying to learn that the Yugoslav Government agrees to the establishment of Allied Military Government under the authority of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, in an area to be defined by agreement between Field Marshal Alexander and Marshal Tito.

There is attached a military agreement which the Government of the United States, acting in concert with the Government of the United Kingdom, has authorized the Supreme Allied Commander to negotiate with Marshal Tito. The agreement while assuring to the military forces of the Allied governments the means of carrying on their further tasks in enemy territory, also sufficiently safeguards the principles of an orderly and just solution of territorial problems which this Government has enunciated in its note of May 15.

In agreeing to Yugoslav occupation and administration of a portion of the disputed region of Venezia Giulia the Government of the United States has manifested its willingness to cooperate with the Yugoslav Government to the utmost. At the same time the United States Government must solemnly reaffirm that its acceptance of this provisional military line of demarcation should in no way be considered as prejudicing the disposition of the entire area, represented by the compartment of Venezia Giulia, in the final settlement. It is confidently anticipated that the Yugoslav Government will find that all its legitimate interests are appropriately safeguarded.

As soon as the Yugoslav Government has signified its agreement the Supreme Allied Commander will be prepared immediately to receive Yugoslav staff officers of appropriate rank in Caserta or at the headquarters of the Eighth Army to work out the detailed arrangements involved in the agreement.”

“Enclosure: Agreement between Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, and Marshal Tito.

1. The portion of the territory of Venezia Giulia west of the line on the attached map which includes Trieste, the railways and roads from there to Austria via Gorizia, Caporetto, and Tarvisio, Pola and the anchorages on the west coast of Istria will be under the command and control of the Supreme Allied Commander.

2. All naval, military and air forces west of the line on the attached map will be placed under his command from the moment at which this agreement comes into force. Yugoslav forces in the area must be limited to a detachment of regular troops not exceeding 2,000 of all ranks. These troops will be maintained by the Supreme Allied Commander’s administrative services. They will occupy a district selected by the Supreme Allied Commander west of the dividing line and will not be allowed access to the rest of the area.

3. Using an Allied Military Government, the Supreme Allied Commander will govern the areas west of the line on the attached map, Pola and such other areas on the west coast of Istria as he may deem necessary. A small Yugoslav mission may be attached to the Headquarters of the Eighth Army as observers. Use will be made of any Yugoslav civil administration which is already set up and which in the view of the Supreme Allied Commander is working satisfactorily. The Allied Military Government will, however, be empowered to use whatever civil authorities they deem best in any particular place and to change administrative personnel at their discretion.

4. Marshal Tito will withdraw the Yugoslav regular forces now in the portion of Venezia Giulia west of the line on the attached map by (date to be inserted) 1945. Arrangements for the retention of the Yugoslav detachment referred to in paragraph 2 will be worked out between the Supreme Allied Commander and the Yugoslav High Command.

5. Any irregular forces in this area will, according to the decision of the Supreme Allied Commander in each case, either hand in their arms to the Allied Military Authorities and disband, or withdraw from the area.

6. The Yugoslav Government will return residents of the area whom they have arrested or deported with the exception of persons who possessed Yugoslav nationality in 1939, and make restitution of property they have confiscated or removed.

7. This agreement in no way prejudices or affects the ultimate disposal of the parts of Venezia Giulia west of the line. Similiarly the Military occupation and administration by Yugoslavia of the parts of Venezia Giulia east of the line in no way prejudices or affects the ultimate disposal of that area.”⁶⁰

Field Marshal Alexander will furnish you with copy of map and date to be inserted in paragraph 4 of military agreement whereupon you should immediately concert with your British colleague for the presentation to the Yugoslav Government of parallel notes and identic military agreements.

Moscow should not inform Soviet Government of the foregoing until specific instructions are received.

Sent to Belgrade. Repeated to Caserta as no. 519, Moscow as no. 1154, and London as no. 4206.

Grew

59. Transmitted to Yugoslav Government on June 2, with an oral statement to the effect that it represented the final word of the United States and the United Kingdom Governments and that the two Governments hoped for a prompt acceptance.
60. The agreement as quoted here is identical with the final text signed June 9, 1945, except in paragraph 1 following “Tarvisio” are inserted the words “as well as Pola and anchorages” and in paragraph 4 following “maps” are added the words “as well as those in the town and vicinity of Pola by 08 hours GMT, June 12th”. For final text of Agreement and appended map, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 501, or 59 Stat. (pt. 2) 1855.