760H.68/7–2345
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—4 a.m.]
742. Prime Minister called this evening with following remarkable note received from Yugoslav Legation (Embassy’s translation from French).
“The Legation of Democratic Federal Yugoslavia presents its compliments to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and, acting on instructions from its Government, has the honor to call the attention of the Hellenic Government to the necessity of putting an end to the persecution being directed against Macedonians—our compatriots—in Aegean Macedonia by irregular bands, often with the participation of regular troops and the support of organs of the state, viz.: privations of liberty, mistreatment, pillaging, murders, violation of women and proscription of the use of the national tongue. Further tolerance of such acts on the part of the Hellenic Government would not serve friendly relations between our two countries.
The Yugoslav Government expects that the Hellenic Govt will give the appropriate orders to bring to an end all terror and persecution directed against the population of Yugoslav origin in Aegean Macedonia and to respect the rights of our minority that the crimes of which it is the object shall cease and that all the refugees shall have the opportunity of returning without hinderance to their homes, that pillaged property shall be restituted to them and that they shall be [Page 329] compensated for damages suffered, in other words that order shall be reestablished in conformity with the prescriptions of international law established in the Declaration of the United Nations with reference to the Atlantic Charter and with the principles consecrated by the Charter of the United Nations which have been accepted by the Hellenic Government.
The Legation of Democratic Federal Yugoslavia avails itself of this occasion to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the assurances of its high consideration.
Athens, July 23, 1945.”
Prime Minister asked me send text immediately Washington Potsdam. British colleague doing same London Potsdam. Prime Minister said would neither reply nor give publicity until advised by British Government and he hopes also US Government. He commented wholesale allegations persecution unsupported and devoid foundations also Macedonians mentioned not Yugoslav “compatriots” but Greek citizens and reference Atlantic Charter inapplicable unless to Greek national rights now threatened and said feels note intended lay basis invasion Yugoslav Army or possibly irregular bands and places, hopes Big Three prevent this.
Sent Department repeated to Potsdam.