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

740.00119 Control (Italy)/9–2247

The Yugoslav Ambassador (Kosanović) to the Secretary of State

P. No. 1200

The Ambassador of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia presents his compliments to the Honorable, The Secretary of State and has the honor to inform of the following:

1. On the occasion of the withdrawal from the demarcation line in the Julian March land shortly before their departure, the American occupational troops committed serious attacks against the property in the region which was taken over by the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. On the night of September 15–16, American soldiers demolished a hospital in Sezana and removed all of the valuable articles.

2. Along the whole demarcation line American troops burned or destroyed otherwise practically all of the barracks. Such action on the part of American soldiers increased the tension on the demarcation line and could have caused undesired incidents. Besides that, American troops displayed a hostile attitude towards the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia.

3. The American soldiers tried to provoke incidents and made physical attacks upon the Yugoslavs. On September 15, on the road between Tolmin and Kobarid, American soldiers physically attacked and beat Yugoslav telephone workers who were working on a telephone line. On September 15, on the road St. Lucia–Kozariste, American soldiers distributed anti-Yugoslav leaflets.

Moreover, Italians exercised moral pressure on the population in the territory which was to belong to the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia so that they would move out.

In the region of Kobarid American soldiers, during their withdrawal, fired three artillery shots on the territory of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. They tried to provoke incidents by firing from infantry arms. Such action by the American occupation forces may have left the population of the territory in question with the impression that the American authorities are hostile and in that way incite incidents which would make difficult or even impossible the peaceful “taking over” of the territory.

The attitude of the American occupational authorities, before the carrying out of the Peace Treaty, made it possible for followers of Fascist organizations to provoke incidents, attack property sand make physical attacks on the Yugoslav population and even upon the Yugoslav citizens in the Italian territory or on the Free territory of Trieste.

During the night of September 14–15, a mine was laid in the building of the “Primorski dnevnik” in Gorica. It was a fortunate incident that the mine was found and removed by Yugoslav citizens and therefore its explosion was prevented. A Yugoslav automobile with license plate TP was burned the same night by an organized group in Gorica.

On September 14 at 2 p.m. members of the Organization “Divisione Gorizia” destroyed the restaurant belonging to a Slovene—Polde Cesut—injured him and stole 19.000 lire. In the same manner the restaurants of Petar Kralj, Petrovic Makso and Gifl were attacked and Marcija Butinjolija was seriously wounded. At 8:00 p.m. of the same evening, the Library of “Ljudska Zalozba” was attacked and 30.000 Slovene books were destroyed.

On the night of September 13–14 in Gorica, organized groups attacked the houses of Gorica citizens who did not want to display Italian flags. In these attacks three grenades were thrown.

Attention should be drawn to the fact that the Organization “Divizione Gorizia” is organized under the same principles as the Fascist Squadristi and that the majority of the members are former members of the Fascist party.

On September 15, in Trieste, the head of the Yugoslav border commission, Colonel Kilibarda and Major Altarac were attacked. Fifteen members of the civilian police, who were present, did not intervene and did not protect the above mentioned official representatives of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. On that occasion the automobile of Colonel Kilibarda was damaged.

The Ambassador of Yugoslavia, would, at the same time, like to mention that the American occupation authorities, before the Peace treaty came into effect, allowed, between September 13–14, the entry of Italian troops and carabinieri into Gorica.

The American occupational authorities are responsible for the criminal activities of the members of the above named organizations because they are in charge of the maintenance of Law and order, and with the protection of personal integrity and property on the territories in question.

The Government of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia wishes to express its unsatisfaction for the incorrect stand of the American soldiers and commander and reserves itself the right to seek compensation for the damages incurred by American soldiers.

The Yugoslav Ambassador takes this opportunity to renew to the Honorable the Secretary of State the assurances of his highest consideration.¹

Washington, September 22, 1947.

1. By a note of the next day (September 23), not printed, the Acting Secretary of State acknowledged receipt of the Yugoslav note and stated: “These charges have been determined upon investigation to be wholly without foundation in fact and are rejected by the Government of the United States as unworthy of comment.” (740.00119 Control (Italy)/9–2247)