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

860S.00/9–1449: Telegram

The Ambassador in Yugoslavia, (Cannon) to the Secretary of State

secret

Belgrade, September 14, 1949—7 p. m.

923. I took advantage of long general conversation with Bebler reported mytel 898 September 8¹ to speak frankly on matters of Yugoslav Government public policy with special reference to fundamental freedoms, arrests without trial, propaganda excesses and international obligations.

As point of departure I took recent Zone B persecutions (Embtel 900 September 9²) stupid Tanyug article on supposed economic misery at Trieste (Embassy’s airgram 578 August 25²) and forthcoming debate at UNGA on basis of report of UNSCOB. I said that in Yugoslav Government’s own interest time has come to take into account world public opinion since Yugoslavia needs all the friends it can get. As regards US it is no longer enough that certain high officials and elements of press should understand Yugoslav’s predicament; now that credits and major items of supply are under consideration US Congress various government departments and people at large will have hand in forming US policy. I again referred to Greek children, treatment of non-Communist political leaders, persecution of church, arrests of former Embassy and GRU employees, treatment of dual nationals, and general abuse through propaganda agencies.

These matters had long been on my mind but time had seemed hardly ripe for most effective discussions. I decided however to prepare ground for more specific presentation as later developments may warrant and therefore covered whole field though I touched on some of the themes lightly and without inviting response.

Bebler listened carefully and saw point when I said Yugoslav delegate at New York should be prepared answer lot of awkward questions if they meet up with US officials and press. On matter of arrested Embassy employees I was more specific and proposed that we submit lists of names for Yugoslav Government to look into individual cases to which he agreed.

I think we can get best results by handling this informally and without publicity. If Department approves I intend to seek suitable opportunities for work along this line keeping in mind that other major problems may require priority.³

Cannon

1. Not printed; in it Ambassador Cannon reported that he had a long talk with Deputy Foreign Minister Bebler on September 8 reviewing various internal and external questions prior to his departure for the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly. The telegram dealt with that part of the conversation dealing with Greek-Yugoslav relations (501.BB Balkans/9–849).
2. Not printed.
2. Not printed.
3. In his telegram 1061, October 17, from Belgrade, not printed, Ambassador Cannon reported that he had discussed with Yugoslav Deputy Foreign Minister Mates several cases of American citizens and alien employees of the Embassy in Belgrade imprisoned by the Yugoslav Government during the past three or four years. Mates promised to look into the cases and see what could be done (860S.00/10–1749).