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

123 Cabot, John M.: Telegram

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

restricted

Belgrade, May 6, 1947—3 p. m.

455. On Friday¹ evening while starting brief trip with my wife, Agricultural Attaché² and Mrs. Kling and Col. Stratton³ to get to know country, had disagreeable incident at Pec.⁴ After routine check finished, captain of local militia and young civilian, evidently OZNA agent, demanded special check and surrender of film in my camera alleging, so I understand, that I had taken picture at Mitrovitza (when I had photographed ruined castle) and that I might also have photographed military installations (which I had not). I tried to dissuade him and eventually pointed to my diplomatic immunity but he refused to recognize it.

I asked to see his commander but he claimed he was in command. I asked to leave the room to telephone Belgrade but he blocked door and stated that he would detain me by force till I surrendered film. He also refused to telephone Belgrade himself or to give his name despite repeated requests. Both he and OZNA agent became decidedly insulting. I told him he might see but not take camera thinking thus to lessen incident. However, he yanked it from me and took it away. In fairness to him he had said he would keep it till following morning but this had not been translated.

In meantime, he had also entered Mr. Kling’s room and removed his camera without permission. I immediately telegraphed Embassy, telephone being allegedly out of order. One hour later both cameras and our diplomatic cards were returned without explanation or apology. Following day we were checked at several nearby points on road closely followed and one further attempt was made to get a film but we talked man out of it.

Entire incident witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. Kling who translated, Col. Stratton and several Yugoslavs. All Americans have seen and approve above statement of fact. Despite great provocation no American at any time by action or word gave any just cause for Yugoslav criticism. Incident was the worse because several high Foreign Office officials knew of and had encouraged trip, also Putnik⁵ had made arrangements. Officials at Pec knew of this independently so no question mistaken identity involved.

Department will realize incident unanswerably proves Department’s wisdom in refusing passports to American tourists who wish to visit Yugoslavia.⁶

Upon receiving my telegram Mr. Hickok immediately called at Foreign Office to register oral protest (which was later followed by written one) and demanded release of diplomatic cards and cameras. Foreign Office expressed regret [and] promised to effect release by telephone but has not replied to note.⁷

I plan vigorous further representations to Simich⁸ or Bebler as soon as I can see them but would appreciate Department’s instructions.⁹

Cabot

1. May 2.
2. William Kling.
3. Lt. Col. Chester M. Stratton, Assistant Military Attaché.
4. Near the Albanian border.
5. The official Yugoslav tourist agency.
6. A memorandum describing the incident at Pec involving Chargé Cabot was sent to Ambassador Kosanović on May 10, under cover of a letter from Walworth Barbour which read in part as follows:

   “… I thought you might find the circumstances of the case of interest as illustrative of one of the factors in present conditions in Yugoslavia which have led to our conclusion that it is impossible for us to authorize tourists to proceed to your country at this time.” (123 Cabot, John M.)

7. In telegram 470, May 9, from Belgrade, not printed, Chargé Cabot reported that he had received a note from the Foreign Ministry expressing regret for the incident at Pec. Assistant Foreign Minister Aleš Bebler had also expressed his personal regrets. The texts of the Embassy’s note of May 2 and the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry reply of May 9 were transmitted in telegram 472, May 10, from Belgrade, not printed (123 Cabot, John M.).
8. Stanoje Simić, Yugoslav Foreign Minister.
9. Telegram 297, May 7, to Belgrade, not printed, approved the action taken by Chargé Cabot and authorized delivery of a supplementary note demanding a formal apology (123 Cabot, John M.). These instructions were superseded by those contained in telegram 313, May 13, to Belgrade, infra.