811.20200(D)/9–2846: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson)
us urgent
657. Urtel 989, 28th92 and previous. Please deliver note along [Page 964] following lines personally to Marshal Tito as Acting MinFonAff:
“Emb has referred to its Govt FonOff note 11267 of Sept 2493 and previous communications in connection with Yugo Govt request that USIS and its American reading room in Belgrade suspend their activities. US Govt has carefully considered correspondence exchanged by Emb and Yugo Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this connection. It has been noted that while Emb has given a full explanation of incident involving dissemination of certain articles written by one Eric Pridonoff and has pointed out that that incident occurred without official approval of Emb and that appropriate steps have been taken to prevent similar incidents in future, Yugo Govt persists in its request that USIS in Belgrade be closed. US Govt consequently is forced to conclusion that it is not Pridonoff incident which is at issue in this matter. It seems obvious to my Govt that there is a wider issue involved, namely, whether Yugo authorities wish to deny Yugo people fundamental democratic freedom of access to information and opinions about other peoples. As Yugo Govt states it is aware, it was for purpose of making available to Yugo people information and cultural knowledge concerning US that US Govt undertook establishment of USIS and its reading room in Belgrade. Without access to such information about each other there can be little hope of understanding between Yugo and American peoples and without such understanding it is evident that patient efforts of statesmanship to maintain those harmonious relations between states that US on its part so much desires to see, may well be frustrated.
“Yugo Govt has on many occasions indicated its realization of importance to establishment of a sound foundation for peace, of interchange of information, science and culture, and the US Govt has welcomed Yugo Govts interests in international efforts contributing to peace and security by advancing international knowledge and understanding of peoples through all means of mass communication.
“US Govt presumes that in requesting closing of USIS and reading room in Belgrade Yugo Govt has given consideration to full implications of such action and will appreciate an expression of attitude of Yugo Govt in connection with these broader aspects of issue which as indicated above US Govt cannot but believe is fundamental to understanding between Yugo and American peoples”.
For time being foregoing note will not be published in hope that constructive reply may be forthcoming.
Sent Belgrade as 657 rptd to Paris for Sec as 5240.