860h.002/10–1045: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
547. Subasic told us this morning that yesterday afternoon Tito sent him letter accepting his resignation57 and Kardelj visited him for a long talk. When Kardelj asked him what his aim was in resigning, he replied that his only aim was to try to improve political [Page 1264] situation in country. Subasic still thinks that although his resignation has been accepted Tito may want to confer with him on possible new compromise agreement based on concessions to points raised by Subasic in his letter. Subasic said that for his part compromise might be possible, while if Tito does not want to compromise future of Yugoslavia will be very much more difficult. He still believes Tito man of good will, but doubts whether he has enough personal power to make necessary changes. Subasic said Tito is not a free agent, but is controlled by external and especially by internal forces, mentioning Ozna, Communist Party and Yugoslav Army. Three most powerful men in Yugoslavia, he said, are Tito, Kardelj and Rankovic, head of Ozna. He is not sure of their relations among themselves except what he has been able to observe, and does not know whether Tito and Kardelj understand true situation in country. But Subasic said “If they agree with only one percent of what I have told them, they must be profoundly disturbed”.
Subasic prefers not to give us copy of his resignation until he sees whether Tito will want to confer with him. Subasic said he also does not want to cause relations between the Big Three to become any more complicated than they are already; but if called upon by Big Three to give his reasons for resigning, he will do so. At this stage he is not asking for outside help. He feels his first responsibility is to do all he can himself and let the foreign powers help if they will. He is fighting for democracy in Yugoslavia and will continue to fight for it even if out of office. He recalled having told Churchill and Eden in London before coming here that Yugoslav democracy must be fought for in Yugoslavia, not only from Hyde Park. He added, however, that it is very important that elections be postponed. He hopes Tito will realize this and take action of his own free will. Another reason Subasic is unwilling to request outside help, he says, is that he has already been accused “from many sides” of being agent of United States and Great Britain in Yugoslavia.
Subasic said state of his health is dangerous. He has had apoplexy which is likely to recur and must try to be quiet; but he cannot find quiet because of his heavy responsibilities. Situation in country is “terrible, terrible”. The people won a glorious victory and expected liberation. Instead they were given reign of terror and are even now in a state of “civil war”. Here his eyes filled with tears. To him the question was not only that Yugoslavia had fought for the Allies, suffered much and deserved much in return. That was a comparatively small consideration. Far more important was that the happiness of humanity was at stake, not only here but throughout Europe and world. That was real responsibility of Big Three. He said he had constantly in his mind words of President Truman that, in effect, if we do not achieve total peace, we shall have lost the war.
[Page 1265]After situation has clarified in next few days, Subasic would like to go to Zagreb to recuperate. He confirmed resignations of Sutej and Jancikovic, saying he and they with other members of Croatian Peasant Party are united as never before behind leadership of Dr. Machek.
Repeated to Moscow as No. 34.
- A translation of this letter was sent to the Department via airgram A–188, October 20, 1945, from Belgrade; not printed.↩