860S.00/8–248: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
urgent
1084. Text Yugoslav decrees and regulations re FTT zone B have not been published locally (Deptel 479, August 11).1 Presumption is that these are considered Yugoslav army orders of no concern to Yugoslav public. Best account available to us of conditions in zone B is Yugoslav Foreign Office note 49735, April 12 transmitted Embassy’s despatch 355, April 12.2 Admissions therein should strengthen argumentation if we decide take initiative in presenting at this time specific charges Yugoslav treaty violations.
From local point view we wonder whether preferable strategy might be to press for report by Yugoslav Military Government its administration zone B reserving our evidence concrete violations for subsequent attack on that report. Past experience indicates we cannot hope obtain full record Yugoslav regulations currently in force in zone B. Tactically Yugoslavs might be in stronger position if required only to rebut our evidence without having to establish affirmative record treaty compliance.
We note following account by Tanjug SC discussion last week. “Yugoslav [Page 540] delegate emphasized there was no reason for postponing discussion as facts about violation peace treaty were before council. He said that so far nobody had demanded report from Yugoslavia and that only they had furnished reports who considered Military Government as permanent status in FTT. Meanwhile, Yugoslavs had continued to await nomination of governor in order to submit final report their administration to him.”
While conceding vagueness treaty annex 7 re reports, we feel above position is weak and should be challenged. Facts about treaty violations are not before SC until Yugoslavs make their report. Someone might appropriately request report now as per requisite examination administration FTT. No basis perceived for conclusion that submittal report implies acceptance permanence Military Government and volume of specific evidence to contrary, including three powers proposal for reincorporation.
Although Soviet delegate may be expected exercise veto on formal motion demanding Yugoslav report, Yugoslavs might be jockeyed into statement of attitude re request for report. In any event Ave think public attention should be focused on this fresh instance non-cooperation with UN.
Politically from our local situation it might well be desirable not to engage in direct collisions with Yugoslavs at present highly delicate moment. If while indicating our staunch support for reincorporation FTT we could defer direct clash on specific zone B issues by giving Yugoslavs time to submit report, present enthusiastic support of Yugoslavs by Soviet and Ukraine delegates might be offset.
Sent Department. Department pass USUN, repeated Trieste niact.