120. Telegram From the Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Department of State0
1122. Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ivo Vejvoda told DCM last night that Yugos, now they have examined full text of Rusk February 5 statement,1 are much disturbed. Had thought after Ambassador’s talks with Kardelj and others that Yugo’s independence and good Yugo-US [Page 258] bilateral relations were accepted as good in themselves. Now they find statement treats Yugo independence as tool in cold war. Communist Chinese had printed full text Rusk statement, as yet without comment, but with clear implication this will provide further fuel for attacks on Yugo as tool of imperialists. Yugos are sensitive people and disturbed by implication they being used to achieve cold war objectives of West. Statement, while emphasizing Yugo independence, in fact tends to cause Asian and African countries to question Yugo independence, will weaken Yugo influence in those areas, and complicate relations with Eastern Bloc.
Vejvoda said he had not expected to see American officer that evening and had not prepared approach but February 5 statement was subject of extensive discussion in Foreign Secretariat and we might hear more of it from others.
Department will note similarity Vejvoda’s point to that presented first paragraph Ambassador Kennan’s paper brought by him to Washington as basis for talks on Yugo with British.2