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

760H.61/9–1749: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

secret

Moscow, September 17, 1949—1 p. m.

2337. Believe latest developments Kremlin’s campaign liquidate Tito support our previous estimate no overt Soviet action presently contemplated, and campaign will, for time being at least, be continued through satellite pressures, general propaganda and covert efforts within Yugoslavia.

Main emphasis has momentarily shifted to Rajk affair¹ and its implications. Besides being directed against nationalist deviations everywhere and hammering theme Tito western imperialist stooge who sold Yugoslavia to Wall Street, Rajk affair includes charges Tito clique also endeavoring overthrow other peoples’ democracies.

Some western observers here are beginning speculate re continuing Soviet failure reply August 23 Yugoslav note re treatment Soviet citizens.² Besides Kremlin’s probable difficulties in drafting suitable reply (compare London’s 3437 to Department August 29³ and Belgrade’s 911, September 12⁴), it is just possible Soviets realize previous threatening official communications were tending boomerang, in strengthening determination Yugoslav Government, rallying support Yugoslav people around Tito, marshalling world sympathies his favor, and that they obviously clash Kremlin’s world “peace” offensive, and tend push Yugoslav initiate possibly unpalatable in consideration Soviet threats. Hence, possible that issue of Soviet citizens may not be pushed further on diplomatic level, at least for time being.

Phraseology re present status mutual aid pact used Polish note to Yugoslavs (Warsaw’s 1195 to Department September 9⁵) is highly reminiscent Soviet charges last Control Council meeting Berlin (March 1948), Poles charging Yugoslavs have themselves destroyed treaty but carefully refraining from denouncing it themselves. Presume other members Soviet-satellite family may develop similar charges, aimed further isolating Tito, still hoping goad him into denouncing these pacts and breaking diplomatic relations, and at same time laying ground work for any such steps Soviets and satellites might themselves later wish take. Espionage charges contained Polish note complement Rumanian accusations outlined Bucharest’s 611 to Department August 19.⁵

Embassy notes that Mrasovic, Yugoslav Ambassador Moscow, but presently absent, was mentioned repeatedly by name in Hungarian charges against Rajk et al (Embtel 2279, September 12⁵), as well as Latino vie, though latter allegedly Yugoslav Minister Switzerland and hence presumably not identical Yugoslav counselor here.⁶ Only other new element in recent Soviet-Cominform propaganda against Tito seems to be exhortations and claims re development anti-Tito Communist underground organization inside Yugoslavia (Embtels 2232, September 6 and 2275, September 11⁷). We trust Bebler’s information re this (Belgrade’s 911 to Department) is correct.

Sent Department 2337. Depart pass Belgrade 116, London 252, Paris 338.

Kirk

1. Regarding the trial and execution of Hungarian Communist leader László Rajk, see airgram A–985, September 26, from Moscow, p. 471.
2. Regarding the note under reference here, see footnote 6 to telegram 2042, August 13, from Moscow, p. 923.
3. Not printed, but see footnote 2 to telegram 3447, August 30, from London, p. 939.
4. Not printed; in it Ambassador Cannon reported on a coversation with Yugo Slav Deputy Foreign Minister Bebler. Bebler was not particularly disturbed about the danger of sabotage acts committed by Soviet agents. Despite much talk of a free Yugoslav Communist Party with underground cells, the Yugoslav Government was confident it could detect and neutralize such groups before they reached an active stage. Yugoslav authorities also showed no particular anxiety regarding the Soviet delay iii replying to their note of August 23 (860H.00/9–1249).
5. Not printed.
5. Not printed.
5. Not printed.
6. In a note of October 25, the Soviet Government accused Karlo Mrazović, Yugoslav Ambassador to the Soviet Union, of spying and subversive activities and requested his removal as Ambassador. Mrazović had departed from the Soviet Union in April 1949, and Lazar Latinović, Counselor of the Yugoslav Embassy, was serving as Chargé. In a note of November 18, the Soviet Government accused Latinović of espionage and subversion and requested his removal. For the exchange of notes between the Soviet and Yugoslav Governments on the Mrazović and Latinović ousters, see White Book, pp. 183–185.
7. Neither printed.