860h.00/11–345: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:21 p.m.]
617. British Chargé Deakin told us yesterday that at diplomatic function October 28 Soviet Ambassador78 asked to talk to him. Sadchikov asked nature of British reply to our suggested joint approach to Tito regarding postponement elections and Deakin pled ignorance. It was clear Sadchikov knew contents of Soviet reply. He then told Deakin that Tito would like to come to terms with Subasic and Croatian Peasant Party and create in effect a “loyal opposition”. He said Tito had conferred last week with CPP representatives but negotiations had been deadlocked over composition of executive committee of CPP. Latter insisted on inclusion of members whom Tito would not accept (presumably Koshutich was one) and Tito demanded inclusion leaders of spurious CPP group in National Front.
Sadchikov gave Deakin impression Russians favored successful results from these negotiations as this is first time Sadchikov has volunteered any information on internal affairs to either British or ourselves. Deakin desires conversation kept top secret as to source in hope he will talk more. However, I asume Sadchikov would not have made this approach without instructions from Moscow.
- Ivan Vasilyevich Sadchikov.↩