Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Council of Foreign Ministers, Volume II

740.00119 Council/6–1546: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State, at Paris

top secret
urgent

Washington, June 15, 1946—2 p.m.

2873. Secdel 273. For the Secretary from Acheson. We have received in the last 24 hours several messages regarding possible unilateral action by Yugoslavia over Trieste. The Naval Attaché in Belgrade has reported as follows: “Unconfirmed rumors circulating attack on Trieste imminent. Night 15–16 June mentioned as probable date. Mil and Nav attachés believe very unlikely.”

You will have seen Shantz’¹¹ telegram of June 14 on this subject repeated to Paris as No. 43 from Belgrade.¹²

Yesterday we received a Top Secret telegram from Berne stating that according to “fairly reliable source”, Jugs plan seizure Trieste if CFM meeting fails rendering favorable decision; motorized units being moved near Zone B and surrounding area closed to all but military traffic; air force allegedly alerted June 12; Tito¹³ said to have secured Soviet approval during Moscow visit¹⁴ and explored with Politbureau strategy of creating diversionary disturbances in Italy and Greece in cooperation with local Communist; “spontaneous” demonstrations resulting in pre-arranged riots would supply pretext.

Today we received telegram from Byington¹⁵ at Caserta stating British element ACC Bulgaria had informed War Office that according well informed Bulgarians there is little doubt that Soviet troops have recently gone to South Yugoslavia. Two highly placed Bulgarians expressed opinion that Soviets have temporarily turned heat off Dardanelles and intend to switch it to Adriatic in full force in near future.

Acheson

11. Harold Shantz, Chargé in Yugoslavia.
12. Not printed. For documentation regarding the measures taken by the United States Government, during the spring and early summer of 1946, to deal with any possible Yugoslav military action along the Italian-Yugoslav border, see vol. vi, pp. 873–910 passim.
13. Josip Broz-Tito, Yugoslav Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
14. Tito headed a Yugoslav government and Communist party delegation on a visit to Moscow at the end of May and the beginning of June 1946.
15. Homer M. Byington, Jr., Acting United States Political Adviser on the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater.