159. Telegram From the Department of State to Secretary of State Rusk, at New Delhi0
Tosec 58. There follows verbatim text of signed letter from President to Tito. Original being hand carried by Davis to Belgrade for Secretary delivery to President Tito.
April 30, 1963
Dear Mr. President:
I was very pleased to have your message of April 7 from Ambassador Micunovic.1
I too have been concerned by the difficulties which have arisen over the past year and a half, and particularly by the fact that these problems were sharpened to some extent by a lack of understanding on both sides. It is true that in addition to misunderstandings there have been some real concerns among my countrymen that the legitimate security interests and the deeply peaceful purposes of the United States might not be fully recognized in Yugoslavia. We think that mutual recognition of such interests and purposes is of high importance in our relations.
One thing which has been most helpful in improving the levels of understanding has been the work of the very able representatives of [Page 349] your country here in Washington. We greatly appreciate the efforts you and they have made to remove some of the misunderstandings. For our part, I know that Ambassador Kennan and his staff have consistently and constantly pursued these same goals in Belgrade.
I share your belief that through efforts on both sides, we can and will succeed in removing many of the difficulties that have arisen. It remains my objective to maintain and improve our relations. My recent request to the Congress to amend the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, so that the United States will be able to continue to extend MFN benefits to Yugoslavia, reflects my confidence in our ability to eliminate many of the problems that have arisen and to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
I carefully noted your comment to the effect that the Soviet leadership is profoundly interested in peace and the policy of negotiated understandings. I am sure you are aware that the United States has consistently sought peaceful solutions of international problems through negotiation. However, where the security of the nation and the peace of the world are at stake, it is important that good will and peaceful intentions be reinforced with workable agreements on basic outstanding issues, equitably arrived at.
Let me emphasize again that the goals of this Government in our relations with Yugoslavia remain constant. We want to cooperate in every appropriate way. We respect Yugoslavia’s unaligned role and your belief in the importance of maintaining national independence and sovereignty. It is my desire and hope that in our unflagging effort toward international cooperation and the achievement of world peace, we may have the full support of Yugoslavia and that our relations may be maintained on the sound and realistic footing which has generally served our countries well.
Sincerely,
Ball
- Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 476. Confidential; Priority; Eyes Only; Verbatim Text. Drafted by Barnsdale and approved by Vedeler. Repeated to Belgrade for Ambassador Kennan as telegram 943. Secretary Rusk was in New Delhi attending the CENTO Ministerial Meeting.↩
- Attachment to Document 156.↩