750G.00/1 854: Telegram
No. 161
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia
(Riddleberger) to the Department of State1
top
secret
niact
niact
Belgrade, January 8, 1954—10 p.m.
839. UK instructions received late this afternoon and as instructed Deptel 8002 UK Chargé and I saw Popovic at 1900 hours tonight, at which time we issued invitation Yugoslav Government as outlined Deptels 782 and 788, as amended Deptel 799.3
- 1.
- We received by Popovic and Bebler in interview which consumed about 40 minutes of which approximately half was devoted to problem of what to say to press. After proposal outlined Popovic said Yugoslav Government will study and give reply as soon as possible. He then stated he had only a few questions to put to us.
- 2.
- He asked whether fact that five-power conference could not be arranged would imply that points of substance previously raised would be foreclosed at proposed meeting. We answered this by stating that purpose of meeting would be to examine whole position and, after a full discussion of all possibilities to try to establish a realistic basis for negotiation of an equitable and definitive solution for Trieste question as a whole. Bebler also inquired if the terms of reference were limited and again we assured him re purpose of meeting.
- 3.
- Popovic asked what level of representation we proposed for meeting and we replied that decision not yet made might depend on where meeting is held.
- 4.
- Popovic then asked if we could give any indication of views of French and Italian Governments and was told that both had been informed of our intention to issue invitation but had not been consulted on any plan that might be considered by meeting. He seemed to find this satisfactory and said he would ask whether we had considered possibility of French veto if perhaps meeting could devise solution acceptable to Italian Government. We replied that speaking personally we did not think there was danger of this. Although Popovic did not so state, I am sure what he had in mind was possibility of French causing Italians to stall on EDC by utilizing Trieste issue.
- 5.
- Popovic did not raise in any manner October 8 decision or its future implementation.
- 6.
- Questions put to us seemed to be primarily for purposes of elucidation and critical comment was absent.
- 7.
- Lengthy discussion on what to do about press developed opinion that doubtful if fact of our interview today could be kept secret. It was agreed that with five capitals involved doubtful if publicity could be entirely avoided. Although I did not refer to it, I had in mind Paris telegram 2531 to Department.4 We therefore agreed that each of us would state merely that US-UK representatives had seen Foreign Secretary and no other comment would be given.
Riddleberger