88. Telegram From the Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Department of State0
581. Reference: Department telegram 494.1 Saw President Tito today in what I told him probably was my farewell call.2 (He expects leave by ship in few days to reach Ghana February 28 followed by visit to Togo, Liberia, Guinea, Morocco and Tunis. Detailed itinerary to be made public in day or two.)
I conveyed message re US African policy included in reftel and in view its length I left text with him. Tito seemed pleased with message and indicated general agreement, although he wanted to study it further.
Re general situation in Africa Tito fully approved United States attitude. On Algeria he agreed self-determination only solution and offered no objection to US policy as stated. Congo he believed should be unified under government chosen by Congolese people. To this end United Nations mandate should be strengthened and all assistance given through UNO channels. (He made no specific reference to Secretary General’s military proposal or to Hammarskjold personally.)3 Lumumba must be released but Tito said Congolese should determine who is to head their government.
Tito assured me of his intention to help compose difficulties rather than increase tension during his trip. Of course he must speak out against colonialism but he would not attack any particular state. Moreover Congo and similar countries were too primitive and backward to justify trying persuade them accept any particular ideology. They [Page 185] needed economic aid and technical assistance from more advanced countries, particularly US, but Yugoslavia could make modest contribution also.
Asked if he could comment on recent visits to Yugoslavia of Sekou Toure and Ayub Khan, Tito spoke highly of former. He had been much impressed by Guinean’s grasp of world problems and was certain he would maintain his country’s full independence and right to follow its own course. He admitted some differences of opinion with Pakistan but was gratified at extent of agreement reached in drafting joint communique. Tito had heard Indian and Afghan positions and was glad to get that of Pakistan.
Tito then volunteered admission that Yugoslavia had been more critical of US and West in general than of Soviet bloc. He suggested the criticism of the West had slackened recently and that further improvement might be expected. Yugoslav differences with West were specific and practical, he said, while with Soviet Union they were ideological. Further than that he said he would not discuss reasons why Yugoslavia was more reticent in dealing with the East.
Finally Tito told me that as outcome of talk with Khrushchev in New York and subsequent exchanges, Foreign Secretary Koca Popovic would visit Moscow in spring and Gromyko would come to Belgrade. He observed that press doubtless would try attach exaggerated importance to this exchange. Actually, it was clearly understood that ideological issues would not be discussed; only practical matters. But Tito thought we should have advance notice of this. He wished our governments could consult each other more frequently in advance.
Comment: Tito appeared in excellent health and as affable as I ever saw him. His decision on all points was most reasonable. However I still have misgivings about this African trip, since past experience suggests his statements and actions there likely to be influenced by considerations other than concern for welfare of Africans. We may hope Department’s message will have salutory effect.
Memorandum of conversation follows.4
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 768.11/2–761. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Moscow, Cairo, and USUN. March 7 and presented his credentials on May 16. Rankin left post on April 22.↩
- Telegram 494, February 3, instructed Rankin to use the occasion of his meeting with Tito to inform him of U.S. positions on African affairs and indicate an interest in having Tito’s observations and impressions upon his return from an upcoming African tour. (Ibid., 768.11/2–361)↩
- On January 23, President Kennedy announced his intention to nominate George F. Kennan as Ambassador to Yugoslavia. Kennan was confirmed by the Senate on March 7 and presented his creditials on May 16. Rankin left post on April 22.↩
- On January 26, Hammarskjold appealed to the African nations to provide forces to replace 5,700 troops being withdrawn by 5 governments from the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Congo.↩
- Transmitted in despatch 534 from Belgrade, February 8. (Department of State, Central Files, 768.11/2–861)↩