Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

668.81/6–2450: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece ¹

secret

Washington, June 24, 1950—4 p. m.

1268. Gouras called upon Dept June 22 leaving long memorandum² restating Grk Govt attitude on current status Grk-Yugo relations. Memo contained substantially no points not already reported by you from Athens.

Dept concerned lest by reacting too violently Grk Govt finds itself in awkward position in which, for internal Grk political reasons, it wld be difficult if not impossible reestablish normal relationships without assurances or revocations by Yugo Govt which Yugo Govt unlikely to make. In particular, Dept concerned Shehovitch might leave Athens in pique if not given opportunity present credentials very shortly.

Dept has noted recommendation Deptel 1507³ that we take no further action at this time. However, in light Belgrade’s 789 repeated Athens as 64⁴ and 790 repeated Athens as 65⁵ we believe we have basis further reassurances to Grk Govt and that therefore we might urge again at least prompt action by King in receiving Shehoviteh’s credentials.

Suggest you advise Grk FonOff soonest Emb Belgrade has recently received authoritative indications of Yugo attitude which confirm position taken by US officials with Grks both in Athens and Washington: that problem basically internal Yugo political question resulting necessity Tito position re vulnerable Yugo Macedonian population be not prejudiced by Bulgarian-Cominform propaganda competition; and that no territorial claims involved. Grks might be reminded Slav Macedonians in Yugo, especially many thousands formerly resident in Grk Macedonia, might be particularly susceptible to Cominform propaganda line advocating autonomous Macedonia. Summary Tito’s remarks re Grk children shld tend make more palatable renewed US suggestion re Grk-Yugo relations.

Dept prefers any statements be attributed “high Yugo official”, not directly to Tito.

Pls inform FonOff that on basis foregoing and after careful consideration Grk memo left by Gouras (to which Dept will reply separately) it is considered opinion of Dept that it is in best interest Grk Govt to proceed in reestablishing Grk-Yugo relations and that in any event it is of great importance Shehovitch be received promptly.⁶

Acheson

1. Repeated to Belgrade as telegram 500.
2. Not printed.
3. The reference here is to telegram 1507, June 22, from Athens, not printed.
4. supra.
5. Not printed, but see footnote 1, supra.
6. Telegram 1548, June 26, from Athens, not printed, reported that the Greek Foreign Ministry had been advised informally of the contents of the telegram printed here despite the fact that the situation had changed drastically with the departure of Yugoslav Chargé Šehović for Belgrade. Few persons believed that Šehović would return in the near future. It had also been learned that the departure of Greek Ambassador-Designate Pappas had been postponed indefinitely (668.81/6–2650). In his telegram 814, June 27, from Belgrade, not printed, Ambassador Allen reported having been informed by Yugoslav Deputy Foreign Minister Prica that Charge Šehović would not return to Athens until the Greek Government made some new move. Prica felt the situation had reached a stalemate (668.81/6–2750). Telegram 1571, June 28, from Athens, not printed, reported information from Yugoslav officials in Greece indicating that the movement in the normalization of Yugoslav-Greek relations had reached a stalemate which would probably continue for several months (668.81/6–2850).