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

860H.00/4–847: Telegram

The Chargé in Yugoslavia (Cabot) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Belgrade, April 8, 1947—5 p. m.

355. British Embassy having finally received instructions we have in concert today presented notes to Foreign Office regarding Yugoslav quislings in Italy in accordance with Deptels 127, March 11 and 177, March 28.¹ British Ambassador will also inform Yugoslav Government of plan (Depcirtel April 4, 1 p. m.² and Rome’s 733, April 4, noon) to ship Yugoslavs to British zone Germany. He believes this will not be favorably received by Yugoslav Government but rather taken as another device to evade handing over Yugoslav quislings to Yugoslav Government.

In accordance with Department’s instructions notes make no reference to question of war criminals. Since notes refer essentially only to Yugoslavs in allied camps question of war criminals would in any case be somewhat extraneous. Nevertheless it would be helpful for Embassy to be informed regarding Department’s attitude in this matter in order that appropriate answer many be made to any Yugoslav inquiries. Despite excessive Yugoslav demands mentioned in Rome helpful telegram 733, April 4, noon, information available here indicates that we have not shown due diligence in seeking out and handing over persons in Italy who are in fact guilty of serious war crimes.

Sent Dept 355, repeated Rome 21.

Cabot

1. Telegram 177 not printed, but see footnote 3 to telegram 127, March 11, p. 779.
2. Not printed; it stated that the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees would assume responsibility for those Allied-held displaced persons in Italy eligible for care by the International Refugee Organization and that those in British custody and ineligible for such care would be transferred to the United Kingdom or to the British zone of occupation in Germany (800.00 Summaries/4–447). On the basis of agreements with Allied authorities in Italy, the IGCR assumed responsibility for the legal protection, maintenance, and resettlement of non-repatriable refugees and displaced persons previously under the care of Allied authorities. The responsibility of the IGCR for these persons was subsequently turned over to the International Refugee Organization, an organ of the United Nations.

   For an authoritative account of the work of the International Refugee Organization during 1947, see Yearbook of the United Nations, 1947–48 (Lake Success, New York: Department of Public Information, United Nations, 1949), pp. 955–968. For additional information, see The displaced persons problem: A collection of recent official statements (Department of State publication 2899, Washington, 1947).