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

501.BB Balkan/9–248: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France

secret   us urgent

Washington, September 2, 1948—5 p. m.

3425. While Dept agreeable proposed tripartite démarche Tirana (Deptel 3358 Aug 28¹), it must reserve position on possible subsequent approach Moscow.²

Although “leak” has apparently already occurred Athens, Dept suggests démarche should not be publicized pending Alban reply or lapse reasonable time for reply in order enhance admittedly slight possibility favorable Alban action.

Dept believes démarche should not be directed narrowly and specifically at disarming and interning Grk guerrillas by Alban, for such approach might imply recognition guerrilla belligerency, from which alone specific obligation under international law to disarm and intern would arise. Rather it should be general and directed towards Albania’s taking appropriate steps, in accord obligations under international law, to prevent launching armed expeditions from Alban territory against Grk Govt.

It is feared démarche as outlined French draft instructions (Embtel 4424 Aug 26³) would merely elicit reply Albania already disarming and interning guerrillas. To forestall such reply, French Min might refer to claims this subject Alban note Aug 24 to UNS YG and Tirana Radio broadcast same day mentioning disarming and internment of 1,322 recent guerrilla border crossers. While acknowledging possibility some guerrillas in fact disarmed and interned, he could point out there is evidence recent guerrilla movement into Albania from Grammos substantially exceeds figures mentioned Alban note and Tirana Radio, probably reaching 5,000, and that strong evidence indicates large numbers have subsequently reentered Greece at other border points. As many as 1,200, for example, are estimated to have reached Vitsi area via Albania. UNSCOB observers have personally noted abnormally heavy night traffic Bozhigrad-Bilisht road paralleling frontier in Albania, and on Aug 21 they eye-witnessed strong attack launched from Alban territory by guerrillas against GNA in Grk territory despite proximity manned Alban frontier post. French Min might conclude that, in light such evidence, Albania will only convince world opinion of its alleged non-intervention Grk affairs by permitting, as Greece has consistently permitted, inspection by UNSCOB which specifically designated by GA to deal with Grk frontier problems. Dept feels strongly French Min should stress to Alban Govt that his approach on behalf US, UK and France is made to give fullest diplomatic support of three Govts to work of UN organs dealing with Grk case and reflects strong position three Govts will take in 1948 GA to support UNSCOB.

Dept realizes this proposal at variance with Brit position (Embtel 4423 Aug 26³) and appreciates Brit tactical objective in suggesting that reference to UNSCOB be omitted. However Dept believes it would be profound mistake from viewpoint diplomatic strategy to indicate that satellite name calling has caused Western Powers to waver in their support of UN as instrument for peace. If, as is likely, Albans reject proposal for UNSCOB inspection, French Min might usefully inquire whether they have other constructive proposal to offer for objective verification Alban conduct, it being understood such proposal must be consistent with UN authority in maintenance of peace.

It is understood French Min Tirana must have considerable latitude in formulating démarche, and foregoing suggestions are not intended bind French FonOff to any specific wording of instructions but rather to point out line of approach which, in Dept’s opinion, will either induce favorable Alban action or, more probably, permit clear demonstration to world opinion of Alban refusal allow any impartial investigation of Alban behavior.

Pls discuss foregoing urgently with French and Brit FonOffs and report action taken. If considered necessary to adjust details, suggest you arrange telecom conference with Dept.⁴

Marshall

1. Not printed. The Ambassador in France, on August 26, had transmitted an invitation to the United States from the French Foreign Office to join the French and British Governments in a tripartite démarche to Tirana (telegram 4422 from Paris, 501.BB Balkan/8–2648).
2. The Department informed the British Embassy on September 17 that “it considers inadvisable Brit FonOff suggestion of joint US-UK-French approach direct to Moscow on subject Albanian behavior toward Greece in event Albanian reply to recent French démarche unsatisfactory.” (telegram 3696, September 18, 2 p. m., to London, 768.75/9–1848)
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.

4. The Department’s views were fully discussed at Paris and on September 8; the French Foreign Office telegraphed appropriate instructions to the French Minister at Tirana (telegram 4704, September 9, 6 p. m., from Paris, 501.BB Balkan/9–948). The French Minister made the tripartite démarche on September 13 (telegram 4795, September 14, 9 p. m., from Paris, 501.BB Balkan/9–1448).

   The Albanian reply was made orally on September 20 and in writing the following day (telegrams 5039 and 5040, both dated September 25, 2 p. m., from Paris, 768.75/9–2548). It rejected the French Minister’s appeal that UNSCOB be permitted to operate in Albanian territory as well as any other type of neutral observation of Albanian conduct toward the guerrillas. The text of the reply and Department comment are printed in Department of State Bulletin, October 10, 1948, pp. 461, 462.