Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe, The Soviet Union, Volume VI

811.2360H/8–1946: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson)¹⁸

secret   us urgent
niact

Washington, August 20, 1946—7 p.m.

552. Urtel 809 Aug 19.¹⁹ When you see Tito you should emphasize seriousness with which this Govt regards Yugos attacks on US aircraft. You should leave with him copy note delivered FonOff accordance Deptel 545 Aug. 19.²⁰ You should reiterate that US Govt has previously made clear to Yugos Govt that despite difficulty of the terrain and consequent danger to US aircraft such aircraft have been instructed to avoid Yugoslav territory and have in all instances done so except when forced by stress of weather to seek less hazardous conditions over Yugoslavia. You may also give Tito transcript press conference excerpts contained immediate following tel.

At same time we feel you might likewise mention failure Yugos Govt to recognize reciprocal immunities for US official personnel in Yugos with particular reference to the Wedge case²¹ and might point out such other difficulties as the Emb has experienced in recent months in regard to freedom of movement, freedom of access to Amer citizens (Deptel 522 Aug 9²²). In conclusion you may state that the general attitude of Yugos authorities as reflected in these difficulties contrasts markedly with the material assistance to the Yugoslav people given by the US freely and without thought of political advantage during and since the cessation of hostilities.

Acheson

18. Ambassador Patterson arrived in Belgrade from Rome on August 16.
19. Not printed; it reported that Ambassador Patterson was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Tito on August 23 at Bled, Yugoslavia (811.2360H/8–1946).
20. Not printed; for text of the note delivered to the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry on August 20, 1946, see Department of State Bulletin, September 1, 1946, p. 415.
21. On May 1, 1946, William Wedge, an Embassy guard, while driving an Embassy jeep without authorization and under the alleged influence of alcohol, ran into and killed a Yugoslav Partisan officer. Another Yugoslav bystander was injured. Wedge was tried in a Yugoslav court in Belgrade and was sentenced on September 10, 1946 to 8 years’ imprisonment at hard labor.
22. Not printed.