Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Korea and China, Volume VII, Part 1

795.00/1–851: Telegram

The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Allen) to the Secretary of State

top secret
priority

Belgrade, January 8, 1951—3 p. m.

859. Deptel 334 circular January 3. On January 5 I presented our view on Korean situation to FonMin¹ and requested reply. He has now informed me that while Yugoslav Government understands and appreciates our point of view, Bebler² will nevertheless be instructed to abstain on question of declaring Peking regime aggressor. Yugoslav Government recognizes Peking’s claim that Chinese soldiers in Korea are volunteers is ridiculous, but Yugoslav Government believes UN resolution branding China as aggressor would be unwise as long as there is any chance of avoiding deeper involvement of UN in hostilities against China. Yugoslav Government continues to believe our policy towards Peking is forcing Mao³ into closer alliance with Moscow, but chief reason for Yugoslav attitude towards Far East situation is their concern, as Europeans, lest disproportionate amount US and UN military effort be directed towards Far East at expense of Europe.

Allen

1. Edvard Kardelj.
2. Ales Bebler, Yugoslav Representative at the United Nations.
3. Mao Tse-tung, Chairman of the Central People’s Government Council, People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.