860h.01/7–1445: Telegram
No. 557
The Chargé in Yugoslavia
(Shantz) to the Acting Secretary of State
1
278. Dr. Šubašić told me today he will not be member Steering Committee of JNOF [ AVNOJ] Congress. (See Embtel 275 today.[)]2 He has had long talks about this new front with Tito, Kardelj and others all week. Tito told him it will form neither one party nor coalition of parties but will control political life. Persons [Page 840] in front can belong to any party, and parties may exist legally outside front but govt members must belong to front.
I said this explanation was confusing and Šubašić said it was to him also. He thought new front would have same powers as liberation front had during war, but once its control is established, he said hopefully, it will be possible to extend area of freedom. He expressed intention of staying in govt since he would be powerless to influence regime outside. He realizes that Communist dominance will continue. He counts on Big Three to take helpful action.
I am convinced there is no hope of free democracy here and that new laws will be window dressing for totalitarian Communist regime.