860h.00/10–1745: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2179. Dept has given careful study to situation created by resignation from the Yugoslav Govt of Dr. Subasic and has formulated following views:
As the relations of the Allied Govts with the Yugoslav Govt formed in March by Marshal Tito in conjunction with Dr. Subasic were predicated upon the Tito–Subasic agreement which the Allied Govts recommended at the Crimea Conference be put into effect, it seems clear that the departure from that Govt of Dr. Subasic calls for a review by the Allied powers of the position taken by them at Yalta.
[Page 1271]It will be recalled that according to the terms of the Tito–Subasic agreement the Govt formed thereunder would “remain in force up to the decision of the Constituent Assembly i. e. until the final constitutional organization of the State will be established.” It is also set forth, in connection with the specific guarantees contained therein concerning the freedom of the elections for the Constituent Assembly, that the Govt “will be responsible for the organization of the executive power.”
In the circumstances, the question arises whether a Yugoslav Govt so altered during the interim as to contain elements responsive to one of the parties to the Tito–Subasic agreement to the exclusion of the other can be considered a proper instrument to perform the duties toward the whole body of the Yugoslav people devolving upon the united Govt as recommended by the Allied powers. Accordingly, the US Govt suggests that the Soviet and Brit Govts join with the US Govt in expressing to Marshal Tito and Dr. Subasic their profound hope that no effort will be spared by Marshal Tito and Dr. Subasic to find, in direct negotiations between themselves or in concert with the Allies if they so desire, a means of agreement by which the basis for their collaboration in a united interim Govt may be reestablished. The US Govt further feels that the absence of such a unified administration might prejudice the validity, as a free and untrammeled expression of the will of all democratic elements of the people, of any elections conducted under the aegis of one faction of the electorate. Consequently, the US Govt further suggests that, pending the outcome of the negotiations proposed above, the Soviet, Brit, and US Govts also urge upon Marshal Tito that the elections now scheduled for Nov 11 be postponed to a later date.
Please bring the foregoing to the attention of the FonOff and, in informing the FonOff that we will appreciate an early expression of its views in the matter, add that, if agreeable to the Soviet and Brit Govts, the US Govt believes it desirable that a simultaneous approach be made to Marshal Tito and Dr. Subasic in this sense.
Sent to London and Moscow, repeated to Belgrade.