Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVI, Eastern Europe; Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

101. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia⁰

Washington, October 11, 1961, 3 p.m.

434. Eyes only for the Ambassador from the President. I have read with great interest your cables after the Belgrade conference on both Yugoslavian and Soviet behavior. They have been of great value to me, and I want you to know that I particularly like your insistence upon representing the interests and purposes of the United States Government, even when this involves abrasions with those to whom you are accredited.

Your 589¹ with its somber assessment of recent Soviet policy leads me to ask for further comment from you on two points:

1. To what do you attribute the change in policy, with menacing overtones, which you estimate to have occurred at the end of August?

2. In your assessment, what combination of military preparation and diplomatic activity is most likely to lead to an honorable and peaceful resolution of the Berlin crisis? You may be confident that your views on aid and trade with Yugoslavia are being carefully weighed here. My own request for prompt discussion of this problem in NSC is result of my concern that we develop a balanced, carefully considered stand on this matter.

Ball

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 396.1–BE/10–1161. Secret. Text received from the White House.
1. Telegram 589, October 6, reported Kennan’s view of Soviet motives and intentions in dealing with the Berlin and German questions. (Ibid., 462.00/10–661)