110.11 DU/8–2354: Telegram
No. 242
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia
(Riddleberger) to the Department of State1
145. Eyes only for Secretary. Deptel 173.2 Your visit here will mark in eyes of Yugoslav Government leadership and in those of Yugoslav public, Communist and non-Communist, as well as those of outside world on both sides of curtain, important step in Yugoslav association with western world comparable only to Tito’s visit to London. There is no doubt in my mind that this visit will produce results of long-term benefit. At this distance the timing seems about right since by December London negotiations will, I assume, either have resulted in Trieste settlement or have been broken off.
I believe I can employ most effectively here in Belgrade the prospect of your visit to influence Yugoslav Government favorably in the last stages of the Trieste negotiations. On other hand visit could not be effectively used as bargaining counter in these negotiations or otherwise be directly tied to any aspect of them as, if I state flatly that you would not come in the absence of a Trieste settlement, this might lead to resentful conclusion that suggestion of visit was only for purpose of indirect pressure. I feel, moreover, that I should be authorized to handle it so as not to foreclose the possibility of your coming even if there were no settlement by December since positions are so close that it will probably be difficult to establish that the responsibility for failure of London negotiations could be laid at door of either Italy or Yugoslavia. In other words, I would like to be able to say that you would like to visit Belgrade in December if your plans and other circumstances permit. The implication would be clear, our hands would not be tied and Yugoslavs could not publicize a visit that had not been agreed upon.
[Page 504]Too early for me to comment on effect here of what other capitals, including Rome, you visited along the way.