740.00119 Council/4–1247
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
| Present: | Mr. Kardelj, Vice President of Yugoslavia and Head of Yugoslav Delegation |
| Mr. Simich, Yugoslav Foreign Minister | |
| Yugoslav Interpreter | |
| Secretary Marshall | |
| Mr. Matthews |
Mr. Kardelj called this noon at his request and said he was pleased to have the chance to meet me and to present the views of his Government. He said he assumed there would be full discussion of Yugoslavia’s claims against Austria and he would not therefore go into detail this morning. His country had suffered greatly during the war. His Government felt strongly that they could not permit their fellow countrymen (in Carinthia) to live under Austrian rule. He would not go into past history under which these unfortunate people had been left under Austria. There could not, however, be good relations between Yugoslavia and Austria until this question was settled. His country bore no animosity against Austria and following such a settlement hoped for cordial relations between the two countries. Unfortunately, he was afraid that the “general international situation” would have its effect on Yugoslavia’s claims.
He also wished to touch on general relations, both political and economic, between the United States and Yugoslavia.44 These had, in the [Page 329] past, not been of the best and he hoped that they could be improved. They had been affected by the “international situation”. Yugoslavia had gone through a very difficult period and had it not been for the aid of UNRRA he did not know how his country would have survived. With the thought of now trying to improve relations his Government had made certain proposals to the State Department about two weeks ago. He hoped they would be given careful study.
I said that I was glad to meet him and to have the opportunity to hear directly from him the views of the Yugoslav Government. As regards Yugoslav claims in connection with the Austrian treaty, I could assure him that my attitude would be impartial. (I repeated the word “impartial” to the interpreter.) I said I agreed that relations between the United States and Yugoslavia in the past have been unfortunate. At times they have been tragic. I was glad to hear that he wished to improve them. I had not yet received the communication to which he referred from Washington but would study it carefully when received.
Mr. Kardelj said that he thought the best place to start in seeking improvement in our relations was with a commercial treaty. There had been some desultory talks on this question last year but they had not been serious and no progress had been made in view of the “international situation”. He is particularly anxious, however, to better Yugoslavia’s economic relations with the United States and hoped that we could now make progress with a commercial treaty.
I said that there might be some profit in hearing the views of the Yugoslav Government on this question and saw no reason why their presentation at Washington should be delayed. I and my advisers were too absorbed in matters pertaining to the Conference, however, to study them here in Moscow.
Mr. Kardelj asked when I thought the Yugoslav Delegation would be heard in connection with the Austrian treaty.
I said that I could make no prediction as to when we would reach the Austrian treaty on the agenda. We are already two weeks behind schedule according to my estimates. I hoped that we would reach the Austrian treaty on the agenda promptly. In quadripartite discussions, however, it is not enough for one delegate to try to make progress, as long as human speech remains. I had found in my experience here that it is easier to delay than to accelerate.
Before taking his departure and thanking me for receiving him, Mr. Kardelj again asked that sympathetic consideration be given Yugoslavia’s claims when the Austrian treaty is reached.