611.68/1–2450: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia
49. For Allen. Ur 77, Jan 22.1 In dealing with ranking Yugo officials in near future, including Tito, Dept believes advisable proceed cautiously whenever conversations veer to possible further econ aid or prospective future mil assistance. Yugos understandably desire, without making formal requests, to secure fullest details US intentions if country’s econ difficulties grow or relations with Sovs become critical.
At this stage Dept wishes avoid initiation any serious top-level discussions above topics unless Yugos make formal requests attributable solely to their own initiative. Economically Yugos aware US aiding them solve short-term internatl balance of payments problem and supporting their internatl bank loan request. Re Sov threat to Yugo independence and question of mil aid, Dept considers undesirable at this time to interpret US position beyond statements made Dec 22 by you and Pres.
In introductory meeting with Tito you may wish to express desire to increase personal and official contacts between Emb and Yugo govt while likewise developing cultural and other associations between both countries. In this respect you might point to recently concluded mutually beneficial air agreement.
- Not printed. In it Ambassador Allen reported on a courtesy call upon Yugoslav Foreign Minister Kardelj. In response to the Ambassador’s question, Kardelj expressed the firm opinion that the Soviet Union would make the same mistakes in dealing with China that it had with Yugoslavia. Kardelj observed that the Soviet Government’s great fault was having lost touch with the people. Every revolutionary movement, including the American Revolution, had to be ruthless at the start but had to move towards democracy to continue to enjoy popular support. In response to a further inquiry by the Ambassador, Kardelj said that a visit with Yugoslav Prime Minister Tito (Josip Broz) would be arranged promptly. (661.93/1–2250)↩