860S.00/9–2247: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
1082. Together with British Ambassador delivered note (Embassy’s telegram 1077, September 211) to Velebit at 11 a. m., Marshal Tito being absent. Text follows in clear.2
Velebit took the line that he completely agreed with our position and he readily gave assurances that appropriate orders would be issued. Notwithstanding his conciliatory attitude Peake and I both made oral statements on the dangers unless strictest orders are given at once. Velebit professed to know of only one case where he said the line is not as established by the commission. I said even such a case must not be dealt with by subordinates but by the Yugoslav commander dealing direct with General Airey.
As we were leaving Velebit said that it had occurred to him in a purely personal way that it would be a good plan to work out closer liaison and cooperation at Trieste between our officials and the Yugoslavs pending the appointment of the governor. He did not use the term participation in the administration but doubtless had something like that in mind. Remembering Joyce’s helpful telegram of September 193 received just this morning I saw this coming and replied that though without info on my Government’s views on such questions I knew that we were anxious to conform strictly to our responsibilities under the treaty and I cited the provision of annex 7 about the respective zones of the Allied military commands.
Sent Department, repeated Trieste, Rome, London.4
- Not printed.↩
- Telegram 1084, September 22, not printed.↩
- Telegram 98, September 19, from Trieste to the Department, repeated to Rome as 103, to Belgrade as 70, not printed.↩
- News of the United States protest was released to the press on September 24. See Department of State Bulletin, October 5, 1947, p. 706.↩