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

711.60H/3–3048

The Yugoslav Ambassador (Kosanovich) to the Secretary of State

Pov. br. 283

The Ambassador of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia presents his compliments to the Honorable the Secretary of State and upon instructions from his government has the honor to communicate the following:

On March 24, 1948, the Honorable Senator Styles Bridges, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, speaking in the United States Senate on the necessity to increase the armed forces of the United States, stated, among other things, that the United States must “Encourage the underground behind the ‘iron curtain’. We should attempt in every way possible to maintain contact between free America and those within conquered areas who still have freedom in their hearts.”

Considering the important function that the Honorable Senator is performing in the United States Senate and the high place where the statement was made, the government of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia is not in a position to consider the words of Senator Bridges as an irresponsible statement made by an irresponsible individual. It is clear from the statement that the Honorable Senator includes Yugoslavia among the countries “behind the iron curtain.” The character of the statement is such that the government of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia considers that the Honorable the Secretary of State would agree that the statement of Senator Bridges cannot be explained other than as an open invitation to the government of the United States to interfere “hi every way possible” in the internal affairs of other countries, creating and inciting subversive activities against governments with which the United States is maintaining normal diplomatic relations and which like the United States are members of the United Nations.

The Ambassador of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia is confident that the Honorable the Secretary of State will also agree that the recommendations of Senator Bridges are contradictory to all moral and legal principles so far upheld by civilized peoples.

Because of the eminent position held by Senator Bridges and the high place in which the above mentioned statement was made, the Ambassador of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia would be grateful to the Honorable the Secretary of State if he could inform him of the stand which the government of the United States takes in regard to Senator Bridges’ statement. The Ambassador of the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia avails himself of this opportunity to renew, to the Honorable the Secretary of State, the expression of his highest esteem.¹

Washington, March 30, 1948.

1. The operative portion of Acting Secretary of State Lovett’s reply, dated April 13, 1948, read as follows:

   “The Acting Secretary of State does not consider that the remarks of a member of the Congress of the United States are a proper subject for representations by a foreign Government and, under the constitutional system of government of the United States, does not feel called upon to comment thereon.” (711.60H/3–3048)