Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume VI

501.BB Balkan/4–1249: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Representative at the United Nations (Austin)¹

secret
urgent

Washington, April 12, 1949—7 p. m.

216. N.Y.’s 480, Apr 11.² For Ambassador Austin.³ Dept seriously concerned that intended resumption by Evatt of conciliation talks with Grk, Alb, Bulg and Yugo reps cld result in complicating and worsening entire Balkan situation unless most carefully handled.⁴

Requested that you find earliest occasion to approach Evatt informally and explain U.S. view in spirit of helpfulness as follows:

1. Present Balkan situation in delicate state, particularly as regards position of Yugos. We feel it important nothing be done via Evatt talks which wld either force Yugos to reconfirm course of solidiarity with Alb and Bulg pursued at Paris or, alternatively, of dangerously highlighting Yugo isolation from Cominform group. Also prospects of eventual rapprochement between Greece and Yugos cld be badly damaged unless sharper points at issue between them are kept in background.

2. Dept feels that in light of apparent Cominform and therefore Soviet intent to use Bulg and Grk guerrillas to detach Macedonia from Greece, and in light of continued large-scale aid to Grk guerrillas in Grammos from Albania, chances of even limited success renewed conciliation talks negligible.

Pls also advise Evatt we feel he cld well begin by first inquiring of various Balkan reps whether they think there is adequate basis on which conciliation efforts cld proceed. If talks go forward, it is our best judgment that there is little chance of appreciable results and publicity failure might furnish Soviets with propaganda success and also be disservice to prestige both of UN and of GA Pres himself.

Dr. Howard⁵ of Dept will be in N.Y. by noon Apr 13 to provide any assistance or background info re history of conciliation talks that you may require.

Acheson

1. This message was repeated as telegram 542, Combal 263, April 13, to Athens.
2. Not printed; it transmitted Daily Classified Summary No. 69 from the United States Mission to the United Nations reviewing events at the United Nations on April 11. The summary reported, inter alia, that U.N. General Assembly President Evatt planned to resume his Greek conciliation efforts. Evatt had asked Greece, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia to be represented at a meeting on April 14 and had sent a wire to Tirana requesting the Albanian Government to assign a representative for the talks. (501.A Summaries/4–1149)
3. Warren R. Austin, United States Representative to the United Nations, held the rank of Ambassador.
4. In his telegram 706, Combal 411, April 9, from Athens, not printed, U.S. Representative on the U.N. Special Committee on the Balkans Drew commented in part as follows on the prospect of renewed conciliation efforts:

   “Believe that renewal of Evatt conciliatory effort at this crucial turning in Balkan situation frought with danger of either forcing Yugoslavia to resume course of solidarity with Albania and Bulgaria pursued at Paris or, on contrary, of dangerously hastening and highlighting Yugoslavia isolation from Cominform group.” (501.BB Balkan/4–949)

5. Harry N. Howard, Adviser, Division of Greek, Turkish, and Iranian Affairs.