860S.00/10–347: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser (Joyce), at Trieste, to the Secretary of State
secret
Trieste, October 3,
1947—11 a. m.
116. Remy 98 September 19, 4 p. m.1 Following is further appreciation local situation by my British colleague2 and myself in which Gen Airey concurs:
- 1.
- During past fortnight there has evidently been radical change in attitude of Yugoslav Govt in its diplomatic relations with Allies although press and public utterances of leading Yugoslavs, including Tito, continue attack us as Fascists and reactionaries.
- 2.
- British and American military personnel and civil police detained for alleged infringement of boundary are being released with unprecedented speed and even with apologies for their detention. Assurances have been given frontier incidents will in future be discussed on spot, approaches are being made for cooperation and fraternisation and a meeting between Gen Lekić Commander Yugoslav Fourth Army and Gen Airey has been noted in Belgrade.
- 3.
- This apparent change of heart may be attributable to failure of tactics of bluster and intimidation on September 15–16 and to almost unprecedented strength of language used by State Dept and US Ambassador in Belgrade in their recent protests against detention of American personnel.
- 4.
- Present Yugoslav tactics of appeasement may, however, be also inspired by other motives. Having failed to penetrate Trieste with their forces and to undermine Allied authority by timely general strike, they hope to achieve same object by simulating moderation friendliness and a cooperative spirit.
- 5.
- Not unlikely that Gen Airey will sooner or later be approached by Yugo zone commander with suggestions for mutual consultation and coordination of zone problems leading up to proposals for breaking down present barrier between two zones. This impracticable for fiscal and economic reasons as long as this zone remains linked to Italian economy and uses lira as currency. But in any case Gen Airey does not propose to meet such advances by more than polite evasiveness because he is convinced there is no change in fundamental policy of Yugoslavs of making Allied position in British-US zone untenable. Any breaking down in present bizonal system would inevitably lead [Page 113] to successful achievement of Yugoslav objective by well known Communist tactics of infiltration, intimidation and the like.
- 6.
- It is not improbable that Yugoslav reaction to any failure in inducing Gen Airey to yield to their blandishments will be propaganda offensive accusing Allies of refusing to cooperate in spirit of treaty.
Joyce