Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

Defense Files: Telegram

The Combined Chiefs of Staff to the Commanding General of the British and United States Forces in Trieste (Airey)

top secret

Washington, 15 December, 1947.

WARX 92338 (Fat 7). Reference Taf 52.¹

1. The Combined Chiefs of Staff, State Department and Foreign Office concur your views and conclusions Taf 52.

2. Under no circumstances will we agree to any Yugoslav participation in administration United Kingdom/United States Zone and in due course Yugoslav Government will be so informed through diplomatic channels.

3. We confirm your premise your paragraph 5 that any attempt on part Yugoslavs to enter United Kingdom/United States Zone by force should be prevented by force. In event such eventuality you will immediately advise British and United States Ambassadors at Belgrade who will make immediate representations Yugoslav Government without awaiting further instruction Washington and London.²

1. November 22, p. 126.
2. In memorandum No. 8041, December 15, to the Department of State and to the British Embassy, not printed, the Combined Chiefs of Staff asked that the Yugoslav Government be notified of these decisions (860S.00/12–1547).

   The Department’s telegram 793, December 18, to Belgrade, not printed, gave the text of Fat 7 to Ambassador Cannon, and directed that in case General Airey should inform him of any effort of the Yugoslavs to enter the U.K.-U.S. Zone by force, he was to see Tito and advise that General Airey was instructed to use all force necessary (860S.00/12–1847).