124.60H3/4–947: Telegram
The Chargé in Yugoslavia (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
361. Received today Foreign Office reply my note setting forth our position on immunity as outlined Deptel 90, February 21. Essence of lengthy reply is that no personal immunity is to be accorded non-diplomatic personnel of foreign missions including foreign citizens of same nationality as missions.
Note states chief cause of present difficulties is that Embassy employs persons connected quisling and anti-democratic organizations and it is duty of Yugoslav authorities under law to take measures against them.
Full text being airmailed.1
Embassy also received today unconfirmed report that Markovich has been sentenced to 10 years. Specific charges against her and Zmejanovich still unknown but if report is correct assume she was sentenced in secret trial.
Request Dept’s authorization to send further note inquiring: (a) as to specific evidence against Embassy translators under arrest; (b) and whether comment regarding Embassy employees extends to any others and if so asking for evidence.
- The text of the Yugoslav note under reference was transmitted to the Department as an enclosure to despatch 786, April 11 from Belgrade, neither printed (124.60H3/4–1147).↩