63. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Stoessel) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, October 3, 1973.1 2
To:
- The Secretary
From:
- EUR-Walter J. Stoessel, Jr. [WS initialed]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
OCT 3 7973
Pressure Points on Yugoslavia
The following are possible actions which we might consider undertaking to induce the Yugoslavs to be more mindful of our interests when they are contemplating taking “non-aligned” positions in non-European areas.
Area Action
A. Political 1. Refute Yugoslavs in public forum, e.g. UN
2. Make representations at Ambassador level in Washington and Belgrade
3. Make representation at Cabinet level (Secretary Shultz in Belgrade)
4. Cease taking part in Yugoslav trade fairs
5. Delay opening USIS Information Center in Sarajevo
[Page 2]6. Oppose Yugoslav candidates in international organizations
7. Postpone Bijedic visit
8. Recall Ambassador for extended consultations
B. Military 1. Curtail access to US military schools
2. Postpone high-level visits
3. Restrict military sales policy
C. Economic 1. End OPIC guarantees for US investments
2. End CCC credits
3. Discourage private credits and investment
4. Tighten export controls to level of Hungary and Poland
5. Curtail Government credits and guarantees
6. Revoke or suspend MFN tariff treatment
Criteria guiding our selection of the appropriate alternative should include:
- a)
- convey seriousness of our objection, i.e. our willingness to alter current or contemplated [Page 3] actions if our interests are ignored;
- b)
- avoid calling into question our support for Yugoslav non-alignment in Europe, i.e. Yugoslav independence from the USSR, especially in the risky post-Tito period;
- c)
- maintain US influence in and with Yugoslavia and, conversely, not afford the Soviets opportunities to expand their influence;
- d)
- act commensurately with the Yugoslav offense.
We believe that representations to the Yugoslavs relating their activities in the UN and other multilateral forums (Korea, possibly Cambodia, Puerto Rico), the build-up of Tho, and their allegations regarding US responsibility for the Chilean coup to the fact you did not meet with Minic would carry much weight. The Yugoslavs set great store on establishing contact with you early in your tenure as Secretary. As this course could be carried out without publicity, it would be easier for the Yugoslavs to take accommodating steps. It does not necessarily open the way for Soviet counter gains as would most of the possible actions in the military or economic area. Nor does it risk possible unhelpful domestic debate or loss of US exports as most of the economic moves might. We believe State/Embassy officials would be more appropriate for the task than the Shultz/Dent/Casey delegation.
Recommendation:
1. That Ambassador TOON make a representation in Belgrade expressing US concern at Yugoslavia’s failure to take US interests into due consideration, and link this concern to your decision not to see Foreign Minister Minic.
[Page 4]Approve [HK initialed]
Disapprove
2. That I call in Yugoslavian Ambassador Granfil and make the same point to him.
Approve
Disapprove
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL 17 US-YUGO. Confidential. Drafted on October 3 by Armitage, Johnson, Gilmore, and Segall. Kissinger, in approving Stoessel's first recommendation, wrote: “But isn't it better for Stoessel to check with the Ambassador here? I am open-minded—;what is the argument for or against?”↩
- Stoessel outlined Yugoslavia's most significant pressure points and recommended that Ambassador TOON be instructed to express concern at the Yugoslav Government's “failure to take U.S. interests into due consideration” in its public statements. Kissinger conditionally agreed to the first recommendation on October 8.↩