768.00/3–350: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Allen) to the Secretary of State
280. Embtel 258, February 27, 6 p. m.1 For Perkins. Several days ago I told Deputy Foreign Minister Prica I had been thinking over pros and cons of asking see Tito from time to time and would appreciate his discussing matter frankly with Marshal and letting me know his views. I referred to Tito’s statement to White that best assurance against Soviet invasion Yugoslavia would be indication by US that invasion would not be regarded by US with indifference. I believed my visiting Tito occasionally would show we were in close touch and would give impression Tito desired. I added some of Marshal’s statements to White had shown his inadequate understanding of American attitude specially that of US businessmen and if US-Yugoslav relations were to be put on sound basis we would have understand each other better.
Moreover if I made occasional visits when situation was calm we might avoid rumors that something extremely important had happened whenever I saw him.
I said I recognized valid arguments against my seeing Tito and I myself would not like see him too often. Frequent visits would add to Soviet propaganda Yugoslavia had become American puppet. Moreover it would be awkward for Tito see me without seeing other chiefs mission and his time might be taken up with visits. (I did not mention to Prica principal reason I should see Tito occasionally. If we are to have any influence on Yugoslavia it must be through Tito. Nor did I mention the principal reason for my hesitation see him. I would not wish imply to Foreign Office and Democratic elements of population [Page 1381] US condones Tito’s police methods or that Tito and I have become buddies.)
Yesterday Prica told me he had discussed pros and cons with Tito who had decided on balance to see me if he could whenever I wished even though he regretted such visits would be contrary to his practice of not seeing foreign diplomats after their first interview. Prica asked how soon I wanted to go. I said I would let him know when I had something discuss.
Prica and other Foreign Office officials seem hopeful I will see Tito from time to time. Presumably they find some difficulty either in discussing foreign affairs with him frankly or in keeping him abreast on international developments and believe my conversations might be helpful.
If Department has views on subject I would welcome them. Otherwise I plan ask for interview perhaps once month or so.
- Not printed. It reported that Marshal Tito gave an hour interview to Frederick C. White, representative of the Joint Distribution Committee, upon his departure from Yugoslavia. Tito, who asked White to report his views to Ambassador Allen, expressed serious concern over the possibility of a Cominform attack upon Yugoslavia during the spring. Tito stated that the greatest safeguard against such an attack would be for the United States to inform the Soviet Union that such an attack would start World War III. Tito showed much concern that Yugoslavia might fail to obtain credits from the West. He expressed the opinion that the United States Government favored such credits but American businessmen and financiers were opposed (768.00/2–2750).↩