Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

236. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia¹

388190.

Washington, December 21, 1985, 1428Z

SUBJECT

• The Secretary’s Meeting With Yugoslav President Vlajkovic—November 17, 1985.²

1. Secret—Entire text.

2. Summary

President Vlajkovic covered the same general set of topics addressed in the Secretary’s earlier meetings with Foreign Minister Dizdarevic and Prime Minister Planinc, but added a review of Yugoslavia’s relations with its neighbors. He reaffirmed Yugoslavia’s desire to have the President visit and said they would be particularly pleased to welcome him next year. End summary.

3. In a fifty-minute session, President Vlajkovic set out the GOY’s overall approach to its internal policies, US-Yugoslav relations and the world. He began by noting that the Secretary’s visit confirmed the friendly relations between the two countries. The present world situation made the visit particularly useful. President Reagan had his meeting with Gorbachev which the world approved, expected and sought. The GOY appreciated the fact US had sent Senator Tower³ to brief on the summit, which the Soviets also had done via their Ambassador.

4. Vlajkovic had met many statesmen from Europe, Africa, Asia and the main question in discussions was which way the world was going and whether the two blocs realize the world wants a different relationship between them as this is crucial for everyone. Yugoslavs are realistic and did not expect spectacular results from first meeting. Patience, persistence and painstaking work are now required. The main problem is arms race, which burdens everyone and especially the developing world.

5. Yugoslavia’s history, position and strategy as a non-aligned, socialist, self-managing country open to good relations with all countries is well-known. This is the base Tito created. There were doubts at Tito’s death five years ago whether this policy could continue. The period since has been difficult. The basic problem is economic, but it was wrong to draw conclusion that Yugoslavia is unstable. Their economy would be more competitive in the world market as they have been going through a slow process to make adjustments. This process is on track.

6. More broadly, the developed countries had an interest in helping the developing countries as they had the potential to become bigger markets if allowed to grow faster. At the non-aligned meeting in Luanda,⁴ arms control was an important topic, but North-South and debt issues were also seen to have an impact on instability in these countries. The super-powers must focus on this problem. Yugoslavia is opposed to the introduction of ideology into the Non-Aligned Movement, and efforts to create ties to “natural allies,” i.e. the Soviet Union. They were preparing the 8th non-aligned summit on this basis. They discussed the various hot spots and hoped improved relations among the US and Soviet Union would help alleviate regional tensions. They wanted to eliminate instability in Southern Africa, but this was due primarily to South Africa. It was important to resolve the problems of the Arabs; hopefully this would eradicate international terrorism, and lead to a clear distinction between national liberation movements and terrorism.

7. Vlajkovic then turned to relations with Yugoslavia’s neighbors. They attach special importance to these relations, which were good with almost all of the neighbors. With Romania and Hungary, the Yugoslavs respect their sovereignty and right to develop in their own way. There were good relations with Austria and Italy. Yugoslavia wanted to abolish visa requirements for all its neighbors—Greece and Albania were the only ones that did not agree to their no-visa policy. With Bulgaria, there has been some dispute over the Macedonian minority since 1948. Yugoslavia hopes this issue will some day fade away. Otherwise they had generally good relations, occasionally less dynamic but never bad. Papandreau would be visiting early next year.

8. Albania is a special case. There are a number of ethnic Albanians in Yugoslavia. He remembered what it was like 40 years ago—they were practically illiterate, only 10 had education, and there was no publishing. The Albanians were very underdeveloped even for the Balkans. In the meantime, while they have not yet reached the level of others in Yugoslavia, they did have compulsory education, a university, an academy of science, and a TV station, all in Albanian. They got their first intelligentsia after 20 years of this process, but then Albania entered the picture. Hoxha was always hostile from 1948 onwards. He had territorial aspirations and encouraged irridentists among the population of Kosovo. There are signs now that Albania seems to recognize that this is not in their own interest. Even in such a situation, Yugoslavia had developed cooperation; in volume they were Albania’s largest trading partner. They don’t think they’ve been wrong and intend to continue despite Albanian scolding. As the Albanians’ only route for an international railroad would need to go via Yugoslavia, and even though this was not in Yugoslavia’s economic interest, they did decide to build a sixty kilometer connection as an act of good neighborliness.

9. The Secretary thanked Vlajkovic for his comments. He noted that he had listened to various people that day and President Vlajkovic’s remarks filled in helpfully. He appreciated the reassurances about President Reagan’s meeting with Gorbachev in Geneva, he wanted to assure the Yugoslavs that we are alert to the problems of economic development and had made a set of comprehensive proposals under the heading of the “Baker Plan.” The US is alert to the flash points, is working hard, and has made proposals to the Soviet Union for a better process. Finally, he said that we have great respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia and appreciate the opportunity to see our relations developing—particularly, as the Foreign Minister had pointed out in his thoughtful luncheon toast, the fact that two countries with different systems have learned to work together. The Secretary noted that he didn’t want to get into too much trouble with the press. He was already late to meet with them.

10. Vlajkovic concluded the meeting by extending the greetings of the Yugoslav State Presidency to President Reagan and requested the Secretary to remind President Reagan that he has an open invitation to visit Yugoslavia and they would be particularly pleased to welcome him next year.

Shultz

1. Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Secretary State Visit to E. Europe (3). Secret; Priority; Exdis. Sent for information to Rome, Athens, Bucharest, and Moscow.
2. The date in the subject line should read December 17, 1985.
3. Former Senator John Tower was head of the U.S. Delegation to the Nuclear and Space Talks in Geneva.
4. September 4–7.