Office of the Historian

750G.00/8–2654: Telegram

No. 248
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia1
top secret
Washington, August 27, 1954—8:41 p.m.

193. Limit distribution. Eyes only Riddleberger. While Department shares Thompson’s doubts wisdom any approach re visit at this time (London’s 9922) you are authorized, if 1) negotiations appear to be in final stage and 2) you consider raising possibility visit by Secretary likely to be decisive in securing settlement to follow procedure outlined Deptel 181.3 If desirability taking this action should become apparent you should if there is time notify Durbrow in advance to enable him to act concurrently. Otherwise you should of course get word to him afterwards with all possible speed. Department wishes emphasize however you should not broach possible visit while negotiations pending unless you feel convinced negotiations at final stage and effect likely be decisively favorable.

Smith
  1. Drafted by Hooker and cleared with Bonbright and Merchant and with Jones, Crawford, and Gilman (S/S) in draft. Repeated to Rome eyes only for Durbrow and to London eyes only for Thompson.↩
  2. In telegram 992, Aug. 26, Thompson said that, with the Trieste negotiations now coming to a head so quickly, he more than ever doubted the wisdom of any approach concerning a visit by Dulles, since there was a risk it might give rise to misunderstandings in both Rome and Belgrade. He added that it was possible that the final stage might develop in such a way that Riddleberger would consider a visit a decisive element. Thompson suggested that Riddleberger be given discretion should this situation arise. (750G.00/8–2654)↩
  3. Document 244.↩