868.00/8–449: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
755. Discussion on Greece with Bebler (see preceding telegrams for other topics1) was inconclusive because Tito was then speaking at Skoplje (see Embtel 743, August 32) and Bebler did not yet have text. We arranged for second round later.
Having in mind Peake’s talk with Popovic at my house July 20 (available to Department through British Embassy Washington3) and talks both of us have had with Political Director Prica4 we feel we are maintaining pressure for evolution of Yugoslav-Greek policy along lines Deptel 372, July 14. See also Athens 1401 July 19.5
Bebler felt sure Tito would go easy in attacks on Greek Government and on West generally which proved to be case (Embtel 746, [Page 381] August 36) but “Cominform attacks oblige us to say certain things and Macedonia is delicate spot”.
He hoped we would see that Yugoslavs must move with great caution “but we want good relations with our neighbors”.
This seemed good opening for raising economic topics. I reviewed pre-war trade which incidentally does not afford very promising point of departure and proposed Yugoslav experts study possibilities. He saw symbolic as well as practical advantages of opening rail communications Skoplje–Salonika but seemed to think railroad badly out of order on Greek side. We said Greek Government had made repairs (is this not correct?) and with good will on both sides trains could soon start moving. He said administrative machinery, et cetera, for free zone at Salonika could soon be got in order.
Feeling I was pressing a bit too fast I decided to postpone to later talk such topics as compliance with GA resolutions, repatriation children, et cetera.
Referring to third paragraph above we can see that Greeks will probably consider passages Tito speech referring to Aegean Macedonia as revival territorial demands and thus ill-designed to improve relations. Bebler’s explanation hardly disposes of this point and now that we have text I shall draw him out on this in next conversation.
Sent Department 765 [755]; repeated Athens 51, London 44, Paris 91, Moscow 84.
- Telegrams 752 and 754, August 4, from Belgrade, neither printed.↩
- Not printed; it transmitted a summary of a major speech made by Marshal Tito at Skoplje, Macedonia on August 2 before a huge mass rally to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the People’s Republic of Macedonia (860H.00/8–349). In his speech, printed in the newspaper Borba the following clay, Tito reviewed recent Macedonian history, cited the successes achieved in the Macedonian People’s Republic, castigated Bulgarian obstructionism in reaching a solution of the Macedonian question, and firmly asserted Yugoslav leadership for achieving the aspirations of the Macedonian peoples. Tito also appealed for the friendship of the Bulgarian and Albanian peoples over the heads of their leaders. On the other hand, Tito showed great restraint in his references to Greece. Telegram 740, August 2, from Belgrade, not printed, reported that a conference of refugees from Aegean Macedonia held in Skoplje on July 28, extensively covered in the Yugoslav press, had passed a resolution thanking Yugoslavia for its assistance, condemning the Cominform, and rejecting the activities of the Communist organization of Aegean Macedonia (760H.68/8–249).↩
- No record has been found of the conversation between British Ambassador Peake and Yugoslav Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Popović.↩
- Srdja Prica, Director, Western Department, Yugoslav Foreign Ministry,↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 5 to telegram 372, July 14, to Belgrade, p. 370.↩
- Not printed.↩