768.5–MAP/11–350: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1
2401. Deptel 213 to Belgrade, 1645 to London, 1589 to Paris Sept 28.2 Dept pouching Belgrade London and Paris copies paper3 by US–Brit–Fr technical working group on possible mil assistance to Yugo. Paper makes certain recommendations which each of three govts now considering with view reaching agreement on necessary policy decisions early date.
During course working group’s discussions Fr stated but with considerable circumspection (1) YuGovt had requested Fr Govt presumably during last year permission purchase war materiel in France from govt and private firms and Fr had replied no objection in principle such sales, (2) that Fr and YuGovts then commenced negots for sale materiel valued at about 5 billion francs, (3) that sale has never been completed owing failure agree conditions payment and involvement issue Yugo pre-war indebtedness France and that hence no deliveries have been made. In this connection Dept informed by Brit Emb of report Yugos have recently made new and more liberal proposal re pre-war debts which Fr currently considering. Fr representatives at discussions had sched items involved in proposed sale which they did not circulate nor did we or Brit directly request copies. Fr indicated however it included mostly used parts and items to supplement existing Yugo mil equipment altho some complete units [Page 1497] artillery pieces apparently also involved. Dept presumes and wld appreciate confirmation that 10 jet trainers subj Deptel 696 to Paris, 691 to London, 103 to Belgrade Aug 84 part this proposed sale and hence none yet delivered. As working group had not envisaged provision jet aircraft to Yugo, Dept Defense feels for technical supply reasons inconsistent any of three govts permit sale such aircraft view likely inability Yugos maintain and make efficient use such types without outside assistance.
Both Dept and Defense as well Brit representation at discussions feel essential that, if the program envisaged in working group paper is to be implemented successfully, provision of any significant items war materiel to Yugo shld be coordinated among three govts in order avoid duplication, omissions or possibly conflicts. In any case Dept and Defense wld prefer Fr withhold decision on present Yugo-Fr negots pending opportunity consultation between three govts re policy matters raised in working group’s paper.
Accordingly, after coordinating with Brit Emb (which Brit Emb here is recommending to London be similarly instructed) request you shld suggest Fr Govt withhold decision on proposed sale pending opportunity for three govts consider working group paper and achieve agreement on policy questions raised in it.
For additional planning and determining Yugo deficiencies in war materiel, Defense Dept extremely desirous receive more precise indication what items are contemplated in proposed Fr sale to Yugo. Accordingly when approaching FonOff request you also ask whether Fr prepared provide copy sched.
- This telegram was repeated to Belgrade as 335 and to London as 2334.↩
- The telegram under reference here is not printed. It reported on the establishment of the Tripartite Committee on Military Assistance to Yugoslavia (768.5 MAP/9–2850). Regarding the establishment of that committee, see the Department of State’s aide-mémoire of September 26 to the British Embassy, p. 1457.↩
- Regarding the paper under reference here, see the editorial note, p. 1482.↩
- Not printed.↩