Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume V

CFM Files, Lot M–88, Box 144, Memos Conv Formins and Sec Sep 1949

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State¹

[Extract] top secret

[Washington,] September 14, 1949.

Participants:	Mr. Bevin
	Ambassador Sir Oliver Franks2
	Sir Gladwyn Jebb3
	Sir Roger Makins4
	Mr. Barclay5
	Mr. Acheson
	Ambassador Jessup6
	Mr. McGhee7
	Mr. Thompson8
	Mr. Achilles9
	Mr. Satterthwaite10

Subject: Conversation with Mr. Bevin on Albania

With reference to Albania, Bevin said the British had followed a policy of unrelenting hostility to the Hoxha Government. Did we think it possible to lure Hoxha along the path Tito had followed if favorable circumstances should arise? He said the British had not considered this worthwhile, but thought we were inclined to take the contrary view. I said I did not think that we did. The differences revolve around whether we should take more active steps to make trouble for Hoxha. I said we had been trying to quiet the Greeks to dissuade them from precipitating a premature crisis in Albania, and that we thought the Albanian problem should be taken up in the UN instead. If we are not too eager, so that Russia would not attempt to exact a price, the Assembly might try to arrive at a solution which would result in interning the Guerrillas or putting them under UN supervision. Bevin asked whether we would basically agree that we try to bring down the Hoxha Government when the occasion arises? I said yes, but if this were precipitated now, the Greeks and Yugoslavs might touch off serious trouble. Bevin agreed that we have to be careful or Russia will intervene. He asked what government would replace Hoxha if he is thrown out? Are there any kings around that could be put in? Mr. Thompson said a free Albanian Committee has been set up and would have a voice in the Government. Bevin was skeptical of the Free Albanian Committee as a possible future government and said he thought a person we could handle was needed. Thompson said we had taken no decision with respect to a possible future government. The situation was still too fluid. We would have to reconsider it on a day to day basis and take advantage of any opportunities which may arise. Bevin said he thought Albania should be continually studied by US and UK experts.

[For the remainder of this memorandum, which reported on the discussion of the Albanian-Greek frontier dispute and the possibility of reaching a solution to the matter in the United Nations, see documentation on the interest of the United States in the conclusion of the Greek civil war scheduled for publication in volume VI.]

[Dean Acheson]

1. British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin was in Washington at this time in connection with the First Session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Council. This conversation on Albania appears to have been part of a longer meeting held in Secretary Acheson’s office beginning about noon during which a number of other topics were discussed. For the record of the conversation on Yugoslavia, see p. 955.
2. British Ambassador in the United States.
3. British Deputy Under Secretary of State; Superintending Under Secretary, United Nations Department, British Foreign Office.
4. British Deputy Under Secretary of State.
5. Roderick E. Barclay, Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary Bevin.
6. Philip C. Jessup, United States Ambassador at Large.
7. George C. McGhee, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and African Affairs.
8. Llewellyn E. Thompson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.
9. Theodore C. Achilles, Director, Office of Western European Affairs.
10. Livingston L. Satterthwaite, Chief, Division of British Commonwealth Affairs.