711.67/10–248: Airgram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey
A–176. In reply your question re present Yugoslav aid to Greek guerrillas (Embtel 851 [751] Oct 21), following are informal comments this subject prepared on Oct 5 by Lt. Col. Allen C. Miller, US Acting Deputy Representative UNSCOB:
“There is little change in the overall situation within Greece. The Vitsi operation in the Lake Prespa region has bogged down due to strong guerrilla opposition which developed concurrently with the entry into that area of several thousand Andartes who had previously been in the Grammos. Albania and Bulgaria are still supporting [Page 167] Markos with about the same amount of aid as they were last Spring. As for Yugoslavia, on the other hand, the aid has definitely diminished. The $64 question at this time appears to be whether there is indeed a change in the overall policy of that government with respect to Markos. Most of our observers along the frontier feel that a certain amount of aid is still reaching the Andartes through Yugoslavia. This, of course, may be explained as being ‘unofficial’ or merely the result of the failure of orders to reach subordinate officials from the higher-ups. [”]
[Here conclude the observations of Lieutenant Colonel Miller, which concerned the Koutsoumbi incident in early September and the finding of the Special Committee that there was no evidence that the Greek or Yugoslav Governments planned a deliberate incursion into the territory of the other in connection with this incident.]
On the whole, evidence re influence of Tito-Cominform rift on Yugo attitude towards Greek question is mixed and inconclusive. As Miller states, volume of aid to Yugo from Markos appears on wane and Yugo frontier guards at one or two points have attempted fraternize with their Greek nationalist counterparts, notably at Niki north of Florina where invitations to lunch were extended (and refused by Grks). On other hand, Borba, official Yugo CP organ, has categorically stated attitude unchanged, and guerrillas Vitsi area Greece are also believed to have been reenforced by up to 2,000 Greek guerrilla reserves from Bulkes, Yugoslavia, since Aug 30. It would seem probable that Yugos may have been obliged reduce or eliminate material help to guerrillas in order to conserve military supplies and equipment for their own forces, while nevertheless continuing allow guerrillas use Yugo territory for maneuvering, regrouping, rest, etc. Even latter type of aid may have decreased in importance due fact that major fighting against guerrillas in recent months has been more in vicinity Alban frontier.
Foregoing intelligence is for your background info and may be used in talking with responsible Turk officials or friendly diplomatic colleagues, but should not be communicated as formal statement of Dept’s views.
- Not printed.↩