304. Telegram From the Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Department of State1
1598. Paris for West and CINCEUR. Department pass Defense. In conversation last night with Under Secretary of Foreign Office, Ivekovic, latter informed Embassy officer and General Waters that Yugoslav authorities intended within short time open in Belgrade conversations with us on political as well as military level concerning US military assistance to Yugoslavia. Ivekovic expressed his government’s displeasure over the Department’s communiqué on resumption of military assistance,2 in complaining that Yugo authorities had not been consulted either in Belgrade or Washington. He questioned whether communiqué of this nature was necessary “for the Senate” and opined that it “would have been much wiser simply to have quietly resumed deliveries.” When it was pointed out that communiqué had been prepared by those who wished to help Yugoslavia he shrugged his shoulders in doubt.
Turning to aid itself Ivekovic said that judging by communiqué tempo of deliveries of “small amount” involved was “not interesting” to Yugoslavia especially if deliveries were paced over one or two years; the manner in which announcement was made was “humiliating.” He explained that Yugoslavia did not like being given from time to time certificate of good conduct when everyone knew that his country was and would remain independent. He pointed out especially that treatment of this kind “hurt Yugoslav relations with Soviet satellites like Poland and that it did not encourage the satellites to turn to US for aid.”
Yugoslav attitude no doubt reflects strong desire to receive more specific information on rate of military deliveries. General Waters is under pressure from Yugoslav military to provide soon as possible plan for forthcoming deliveries. So far AMAS and Embassy have avoided giving any specific information on timing of deliveries in accordance with State and Defense instructions. However, suggest consideration be given informing us what information we can give Yugoslav Government re schedule of deliveries so that we can respond at least partially to questions being submitted. General Waters and I believe effort should be made to give such information as we possibly can to enable Yugoslav Government to plan orderly receipt [Page 777] and handling of forthcoming shipments. General Waters reporting separately to Pentagon with specific suggestions in which I concur.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 768.5–MSP/5–2157. Secret. Repeated to Paris.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 302.↩