811.2360H/8–946: Airgram
The Chargé in Yugoslavia (Shantz) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 28—8:49 a.m.]
A–201. Aircraft and personnel clearances. We concur fully with facts set forth in Civil Air Attaché’s memo transmitted with Budapest [Page 914] Legation’s despatch No. 1797, August 5, 1946,3 and endorse suggestion to establish coordinating office for aircraft and personnel clearance matters. As correctly pointed out in memo under reference, Yugoslavia presents in form, though not in substance, problems different than in other Soviet satellites but application of strict reciprocity principle fully justified and desirable. Concretely I urge following immediate actions:
- 1.
- U.S. aircraft landing at Zemun airport are immediately surrounded by heavily armed guards, passengers and crew are escorted by armed guards to and from terminal building, crew not allowed to approach aircraft until again cleared for departure. Whole procedure gives impression of handling criminals rather than allies. This conduct of Yugoslavs is plainly discriminatory against U.S. and British since procedure not followed in regard to Soviet, Polish, Czech and other satellite aircraft.
- I recommend that Yugoslav aircraft authorized to land at U.S. controlled airdromes in our occupation zones in Germany or Austria should be treated precisely in same manner as our aircraft are treated by Yugoslav authorities at Zemun.
- 2.
- Yugoslav customs officials make it a practice to search thoroughly and with deliberate impudence luggage of Foreign Service personnel provided with diplomatic and special passports. Only exception is Ambassador himself. Inspector Cochran’s and other F. S. personnel’s luggage was painstakingly searched on their arrival at Zemun August 7 with first EATS plane cleared by Yugoslavs since July 21. Our protests against this conduct contrary to international customs of no avail. Our treatment in this respect cannot be explained or excused by primitive mentality of customs officials employed by present regime since Soviet and satellite nationals are treated with consideration though not necessarily with courtesy.
I recommend that Yugoslav officials, bearers of diplomatic or special (service) passports, arriving in U.S. receive at U.S. ports of entry precisely same treatment and their personal luggage be thoroughly examined.
To render both actions effective, it would be desirable to make it clear in each instance, especially in case of protest or complaint, that treatment is simply same as our aircraft and personnel receive at hands of Yugoslav authorities.
- Not printed.↩