No. 851

Editorial Note

The Yugoslav Government began negotiations with the Greek Government in early 1951 concerning the question of restoring postal, telephonic, and telegraphic communications between the [Page 1719] two countries, and an agreement was reached to appoint two technical commissions to study the problem. According to telegram 2128 from Athens, January 4, the Yugoslav Minister in Greece, Radoš Jovanović, was confident that communications would be restored shortly (668.81/1–451); this optimism was also expressed by the Greek Prime Minister, Sophocles Venizelos, and reported to the Department of State in telegram 2154 from Athens, January 5 (668.81/1–551). Negotiations began in Athens on January 22 and resulted in the signing of an agreement on February 2 which provided for the resumption of communications within one month.

Improving relations with Austria were also formalized in early 1951 when the Presidium of the People’s Assembly in Belgrade issued a “Decree on the Ending of the State of War with the Federal Republic of Austria” on January 17. Less than 2 weeks later the Yugoslav Government announced that an agreement had been signed by Yugoslavia and Austria which restored normal diplomatic relations and provided for the exchange of Ministers to head the Legations in Vienna and Belgrade. Viktor Repić, who served as political representative in Austria since 1949, presented his credentials to Chancellor Figl on February 28. The text of the Presidium decree terminating the state of war with Austria was transmitted to the Department of State in despatch 566 from Belgrade, February 1. (663.6829/2–151) Documentation on the restoration of diplomatic relations with Austria is in file 601.6328.