Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

501.BB Balkan/2–948: Telegram

The Secretary of State to Admiral Alan G. Kirk, at Salonika

secret   us urgent

Washington, February 9, 1948—8 p. m.

41. Balcom 108. Following statement Dept’s views Australian resolution (Combal 84¹):

(a) Department approves general theory of a communication to four governments involved in attempt to implement conciliatory functions of UNSCOB.

(b) Department strongly prefers UNSCOB to proceed along lines of conciliation by advancing some type of concrete proposal with regard to resumption diplomatic relations, revision frontier conventions etc. (Balcom 107²), rather than general unspecific invitation offering satellites opportunity to repeat well worn Slav propaganda thesis concerning Greek Government. In this connection, UNSCOB might perhaps take cognizance of recent protests of Albania and Bulgaria which have been referred for information by the Secretary General and point out UNSCOB’s mission to assist those nations in resolving their difficulties.

(c) In event UNSCOB sentiment for immediate general approach in nature of Australian proposal is irresistible, Department approves US support for resolution but recommends language be amended to eliminate any gratuitous invitation to reiterate propaganda (i.e. “conditions considered necessary for the creation of harmonious relations”). While communication should stress the conciliatory function of UNSCOB and its invitation to discuss the creation of harmonious relations between respective nations, it would seem unnecessary and undesirable to state affirmatively that this suggestion is “not prompted by any desire of investigation”, which would seem to proffer tacit apology for investigatory functions UNSCOB.

Department suggests that direct transmission to governments involved would prove more effective than communication via the Secretary General and thus northern neighbors might be induced to make direct answer to UNSCOB, thereby establishing some basis for possible development working relationship between UNSCOB and those governments. Such procedure would demonstrate UNSCOB’s authority to communicate directly with governments involved.

Department aware conviction certain UNSCOB delegates that conciliation is only authorized function of UNSCOB may make necessary a communication in general nature of Australian resolution. Dept assumes majority UNSCOB delegates aware of inherent danger of proceeding without concrete proposals. Department considers that subject to reservations noted above, US should strongly support any conciliatory move in order to allay apprehension concerning US motives on the part of certain delegates and hopes any proposal ultimately developed will receive unanimous support, discouraging any capricious attempts to exploit differences of opinion among members. Department does not share reported apprehension of certain delegates (Combal 84) that northern neighbors might take public stand from which they would be unable to withdraw; in Dept’s view present stand northern neighbors could hardly be more intransigent and any device which might provoke northern neighbors into a discussion of issues would represent an advance which might ultimately lead to some degree of real cooperation.

Marshall

1. Identified also as telegram 48, February 7, 9 p. m., from Salonika; it reported that earlier the same day, the Australian Representative had introduced a proposal to the political subcommittee of UNSCOB requesting the Secretary General of the United Nations to address a communication to the four governments concerned, inviting their attention to paragraph five, subparagraph 1 of the resolution. The proposal was premised on the belief that “establishment of normal diplomatic and good neighborly relation[s] between the governments concerned is the key to the problem” (501.BB Balkan/2–748).
2. Supra.