750G.00/11–2851: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia ( Allen ) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
711. During presentation of Congressmen Zablocki, Kelly and Merrow to Tito last night,2 I took occasion to state that you had just suggested that I impress again on Yugo Govt importance we attach to early settlement of Trieste question. I pointed out that solution of only outstanding territorial problem between Yugo and West wld be most favorable auspices under which our military assistance program cld be launched.
Tito replied, with some asperity, that Yugo position on subject was well known. He referred to his conversation with me at Brioni last Aug3 and said Yugo views had not been put forward for bargaining purposes but as definitive proposal. He felt Yugo Govt had demonstrated its willingness to go very far toward accord but had unfortunately met no similar willingness on part of Italy.
While Tito was obviously somewhat miffed at my reference to US milit assistance, I do not consider reference inappropriate. At same [Page 264] time, I doubt very much that Yugos can be brought to offer much more than Capodistria. Only slightest possibility I see for accord at this time wld be firm offer by Italians to settle for narrow strip in Zone B embracing Capodistria, Isola and Pirano, in exchange for some rectification in Zone A. I am by no means certain Tito cld be persuaded to go beyond Capodistria, but if firm Ital commitment can be obtained, I wld be willing, if Dept so desires, to do my best to try to sell it to Tito. While I wld regret for US to be drawn into substantive discussion, foregoing is only constructive suggestion I can offer at the moment.
- Repeated to London, Paris, and Rome for the Secretary of State. Secretary Acheson was in Rome for the Eighth Session of the North Atlantic Council, November 24–28.↩
- For a summary of other topics discussed by the Congressmen and Tito on November 27, see telegram 719 from Belgrade, Document 940.↩
- This conversation was summarized in telegram 182 from Trieste. (750G.00/8–1051)↩