760.5/6–2854: Telegram
No. 347
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
Yugoslavia1
1385. You may find it useful in following up Popovic information (Belgrade telegram 1357 to Dept rpted separately to Athens and Ankara2) to express Department’s appreciation and interest in information re Soviet Ambassador. You might if it seemed useful continue to outline two of considerations which prompt Department’s interest: first of course interest in imminent Soviet moves particularly, in present case, as regards Balkan alliance. We agree recent suggestion that pattern of Soviet action suggests logical next counter-move in Balkans might be offer some form mutual non-aggression pact with Balkan Entente partners and perhaps also Bulgaria Hungary Rumania and Albania. This would also fit in with recent broader moves in Soviet peace offensive designed divide and weaken Western World. Second consideration to US revolves around recent process of “normalization” between Yugoslavia and USSR/satellites. Yugoslavs cannot be unaware that, while we believe we understand their motives, progress this direction gives rise to questions in minds some supporters our policies towards Yugoslavia and furnishes ammunition to opponents. This connection it is reassuring and useful for Yugoslavs keep us as fully informed as possible as regards actual state “normalization” in order that we may in full confidence meet adverse criticism re our Yugoslav policy which is constantly directed toward us. We therefore appreciative this information from Popovic as well as information given our mission in Moscow (Moscow telegram 1510 to Department not repeated all addressees3) and our mission in Budapest (Budapest telegram 703 to Department, not repeated all addressees4).
You may also, should course of any conversation pursuant to above indicate it would be useful to do so, reiterate to Popovic our basic approval of impetus towards Balkan military alliance. In doing so you will of course maintain usual cautions re timing and [Page 659] Trieste as well as NATO complications: we have impression this connection that while we conveyed this basic approval to Yugoslavs during your démarche of May 22 (Belgrade telegram 1246 to Department not repeated Moscow5) we have not been as forthcoming this regard vis-à-vis Yugoslavs as we have vis-à-vis Greeks and Turks.
- Drafted by Marcy; cleared in RA, EE, EUR, and NEA/GTI; and signed for the Secretary by Thurston. Repeated for information to Moscow, Athens, and Ankara.↩
- Telegram 1357, June 28, reported that the Soviet Ambassador in Yugoslavia, Valkov, had urgently requested an interview with Tito, which Popović thought might have something to do with the Balkan military alliance. (760.5/6–2854)↩
- Telegram 1510, June 1, reported that the Soviets had harassed the Yugoslav Ambassador. (601.6861/6–154)↩
- Telegram 703, June 24, reported that the Soviets had afforded the Yugoslavs extremely solicitous treatment at a Budapest Danube committee meeting earlier in June. (940.5301/6–2454)↩
- See footnote 2, Document 340.↩