811.2360H/8–2546: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson)
us urgent
45. For Ambassador Patterson from the Secretary. In accordance with the instructions of your Govt you delivered a written note to the Yugoslav Govt regarding the shooting down of American planes without warning by Yugoslav aviators.35
Your account of your conversation with Marshal Tito and the reports of newspaper correspondents of the statements made to them by Marshal Tito would indicate that the Yugoslav Govt expressed its regrets regarding the loss of American lives and had issued instructions that would insure that such incidents would not recur.36
You should immediately make clear to Marshal Tito that it is necessary that the assurances given by him to you and newspaper correspondents in this regard would be communicated to the US Govt in writing in order to enable the American Govt to determine its future course and to avoid any misunderstanding as to the course which may be expected from the Yugoslav Govt in the event that American planes, despite precautions taken, should be forced by weather conditions over Yugoslav territory. In view of the fact that the American note to the Yugoslav Govt was in writing, it is impossible not to attach significance to the omission from any written reply received from the Yugoslav Govt of any reference to the regrets expressed to you by the Yugoslav Govt regarding the loss of American lives or to the orders you were advised were given by the Yugoslav Govt that no foreign planes are to be shot at, that planes forced off course by weather trouble, loss of direction or mechanical difficulties in reasonable numbers are not to be molested, and that means for signalling distress by such planes be worked out. It is the hope of the American Govt that this omission will be promptly rectified. [Page 930] If Ambassador is away this approach should be made by Chargé.37
Sent Belgrade as 45; repeated to Dept as 4229.
- For text of note, see telegram 856, August 30, from Belgrade, p. 933.↩
- Ambassador Patterson’s report of his conversation with Marshal Tito was contained in telegram of August 22, 9 p.m., from Bled, printed in Department of State Bulletin, September 1, 1946, p. 418.↩
- In telegram 98, August 27, from Belgrade, the Chargé (Shantz) reported that after many fruitless efforts he had delivered the message orally to Acting Foreign Minister Velebit. Mr. Velebit had promised to inform Marshal Tito, who was traveling in various areas of Yugoslavia, as soon as possible. (811.2360H/9–746)↩