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

860h.01/2–1945: Telegram

Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser, Allied Force Headquarters, to the Secretary of State

Caserta , February 16, 1945—noon.
[Received 3:18 p.m.]

587. Subasic at dinner February 15 stated that he felt optimistic with regard to the Regency situation in Yugoslavia. He said that he could not help but feel that Tito would be more reasonable. He commented that now that Tito had become a “Chief of State” he realized how important it was to work out problems in a normal, “democratic” way and consequently would be more amenable.

The Yugoslav Prime Minister added that he felt greatly relieved finally to be going back to Belgrade.⁸⁵ He asserted that he realized the task which lay before his country was not an easy one but he felt confident all would be well. Subasic went on to say that the keystone of his policy would be close, intimate relations with Great Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States. He said that he did not think that there would be too much difficulty in settling such matters as Macedonia,⁸⁶ Venezia Giulia,⁸⁷ et cetera. He stated that no one could oppose the desirability of a free Macedonia in Federated Yugoslavia. He made it clear that there would be no difficulty from Bulgarians on this matter and expressed the opinion that Greek Macedonia would present no complications. He said that in Greek Macedonia there were about 100,000 Macedonians who could be transferred to Yugoslav soil and thus settle the problem of Greek Macedonia.

The Yugoslav Prime Minister said that there would also have to be certain minor alterations of the Austro-Yugoslav frontier⁸⁸ and the Hungarian-Yugoslav frontier. He said he did not know whether Tito would insist on Klagenfurt. He did state, however, that Venezia Giulia would be incorporated into Yugoslavia whether anyone liked it or not. He was not quite so certain that this included Trieste. Subasic launched a violent attack against Italy and said that Yugoslavia would never take up formal relations with Italy until the Italian Government publicly announced that she abandoned imperialism forever.

Although he was in a good mood and spoke freely, Subasic did not seem completely confident and he was not impressive. He appeared to be riding the crest of the wave at the moment but not able to conceal his uncertainty regarding Tito’s attitude.

Sent Department; repeated London for Patterson as 77.

Kirk

85. Dr. Subasich arrived in Belgrade on February 15.
86. For documentation on Yugoslav aspirations toward Macedonia, see pp. 1304 ff.
87. For documentation on this subject, see vol. iv, pp. 1103 ff.
88. For documentation on this subject, see post, pp. 1313 ff.