750G.00/9–2251: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia ( Allen ) to the Secretary of State 1
378. In absence of Kardelj from Belgrade I made representation to Mates this morning in accordance with Deptel 307, September 20.2 After reading appropriate paras of tel verbatim, I emphasized you wld wish be able to assure De Gasperi that you had in hand recent and positive statement that Yugo Govt was ready begin convs with Ital Govt for settlement of Trieste question.
Mates assured me categorically Yugo Govt was not only ready but anxious settle this problem and wld negot with Itals whenever they were ready, on basis of ethnic principle.
Mates asked specifically whether you wld suggest to De Gasperi that negots be undertaken on basis of tripartite declaration. I repeated that you intended to speak with De Gasperi in same vein as with Popovic, in which you referred to ethnic principle and did not mention tripartite declaration (Deptel 220, August 29).3 Mates expressed personal opinion that if issue was not complicated by reiteration of declaration at this time he felt reasonably optimistic not only that direct Ital Yugo negots cld take place but also that solution might be found. He said that if Itals continue insist on negots based on tripartite declaration or to “wave declaration in our face” talks wld be useless.
I remarked that for first time since my arrival in Belgrade I now felt some optimism re possibility of settlement re Trieste and asked Mates whether he shared my optimism. He said that he too felt [Page 252] certain cautious optimism, due primarily to indication ethnic principle rather than tripartite declaration cld be made basis for negots. Moreover he thought general world situation made Trieste solution increasingly urgent for both Italy and Yugo.
Referring to statement in reftel re increasingly rigid Yugo position Mates said this was not correct. He said Yugo position remained as stated to me during past two months by Tito, Kardelj and Vilfan and by him to Beam. He said Yugo Govt wld do everything it cld not to exacerbate public atmosphere and hoped Ital Govt wld do same.
In response to my inquiry Mates said next step cld follow easily and almost automatically if you attain assurances from De Gasperi of Ital willingness to negot on basis ethnic principle. Mates said Yugo Govt hoped very much we cld convey such assurance to Yugo Govt fol De Gasperi talks.
Brit Amb and French Charge made somewhat similar representations to Mates today, although their instrs were rather more general than mine.
Comment: While I have regretted our reiterations of tripartite declaration during past year, I am now aware that these reiterations may have served useful purpose provided no further reiteration is forthcoming at present moment. Yugos are so concerned lest we reiterate again they will go to considerable length to avoid it. Yugos are entirely willing negot on basis of reasonable application of ethnic principle. They are quite aware that literal application of this principle is not feasible and are willing to compromise.
- Repeated to London, Paris, Rome, and Trieste.↩
- Telegram 307 instructed the Embassy in Belgrade to inform the Yugoslav Government that during talks with De Gasperi in Washington, Department of State officials would speak in the same vein as the Secretary of State had with Ambassador Popović on August 28. (750G.00/9–1451) See the memorandum of conversation, Document 109.↩
- Not printed, but see footnote 4, Document 109.↩