740.5/2–2051: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 2
4008. In event CD discussion Mar 5 (Deptel 4000, March 2, 5 p.m.3) extends to problem of what action Western Powers might appropriately take to protect Yugo rear and limit spread of conflict if, in consequence attack on Yugo, Tito feels he must neutralize Alb, Dept wishes you refrain from positive participations. FYI only, question is now under active consideration within US Govt, and Dept wishes clarify US position and possibly coordinate with certain other govts before expressing its views in wider forum. However, any views on problem which may be expressed by other dels would be of obvious interest to Dept.
In your analysis position other dels, following considerations which Dept is taking into account may be of use: in event hostilities we cld not and probably would not wish prevent Tito from taking steps to eliminate recognized military threat; however, Yugo occupation Alb would jeopardize ultimate creation independent Alb and wld certainly provoke difficulties as regards Greece and Italy.
USDep will appreciate that, in even genl discussions of Alb, situation may be delicate as Ital is country at interest. However, stated Ital policy is to support respect for sovereignty and independence Alb, and Italy by Peace Treaty formally renounced all claims to special position in Alb and undertook to respect its sov[ereignty] and independence. Furthermore, Dept wld not wish gen discussions of Alb to extend to delicate questions such as Alb-Grk borders, on which adequate coordination US and Brit policies has not as yet [Page 1319] been achieved and which shld probably be dealt with otherwise than through NATO.4
- Drafted by Oliver M. Marcy of the Office of Eastern European Affairs and cleared with Matthews, Campbell, Perkins, WE, GTI, and RA; 3 days later this telegram was repeated to Belgrade and Moscow.↩
- Document 617.↩
- The North Atlantic Council Deputies exchanged views on Albania and the other Balkan countries at their 19th meeting on March 12; for a report of this meeting, see telegram Depto 622 from London, Document 619.↩