SECRETARY OF ST'ATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS

SECRETARY OF ST'ATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS

Telegram - London, January 1, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 1

My telegram circular D. 1835 of December 20th.

Yugoslavia

There have recently been various signs that the idea of Yugoslav-Bulgarian Federation is favourably entertained in the Yugoslav National Liberation movement and that the Bulgarians are preparing to foster agitation for a Greater Macedonia at the expense of Greece. As regards Macedonia, Tito has given personal assurance that he had no aggressive intentions against Macedonia and that any Yugoslav claims would be raised in an ordinary fashion at the Peace Conference and not before. (See my telegram Circular D. 1796 of December 12th, paragraph 3).

2. Our view on the general question is that we should welcome a Federation between all the Balkan states, both Allied and enemy, and including possibly Turkey. We would not, however, approve an exclusive Union or Federation between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria which would not only be unlikely to promote a Federation between all the Balkan states but would also isolate Greece and so endanger her position as a Balkan state. It would also enable Bulgaria, who has in both world wars joined Germany against her neighbours and against the Western Democratic Powers, to escape from the consequences of her acts by merging her identity in that of one of the United Nations. As regards Macedonia, we are prepared to acquiesce in the creation of a Macedonian State as a Federal unit in the future Federal Yugoslavia. But we must insist that this state (or the Yugoslav Government speaking on its behalf) shall not annex nor lay claims to any territories whatsoever belonging to either Bulgaria or Greece, on the ground that such territories are “Macedonian”.

3. We are informing the United States and Soviet Governments of our views as above.

Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

Telegram - London, January 8, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 33

My telegram circular D. 1 of January 1st.

Yugoslavia

Head of British Military Mission in Belgrade reports that second session of Anti-Fascist Council for National Liberation of Macedonia (A.S.N.O.M.) opened at Skopje on December 28th.

2. Session was attended by Kardelj, Tito’s political right hand man, Vlanov, Vice-President of Avnoj, and General Tempo. General Eresen is also reported to have been present representing the Bulgarian Government, and representatives of the Bulgarian Fatherland Front and Macedonians from Pirin as well as representatives of the British, American and Soviet Missions were also present.

3. Speaking as Tito’s representative, Kardelj congratulated Macedonians on their newly won autonomy, but warned them that they still have to achieve victory in the political field as well as on the field of battle. For Macedonia, Kardelj emphasized the future could only be within the framework of the new Federal Democratic Yugoslavia.

4. Apart from a veiled reference to the present position in Greece, his speech seemed unobjectionable. It confirmed that the new Macedonia will remain part of Yugoslavia and made no reference to a possible wider Southern Slav Federation. Nor did Kardelj make any territorial claims on behalf of Macedonia outside the present frontier of Yugoslavia.

5. Brigadier Maclean believes that Kardelj was sent to Skopje by Tito in order to ensure adherence to the party lines, which in this case seems to have been one of moderation and discretion.

Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

Telegram - London, January 16, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada

CIRCULAR D. 84

My telegram circular D. 1 of January 1st.

Yugoslavia

Tito, who has not yet being notified of our views on the idea of Yugoslav-Bulgarian Federation, has expressed himself in conversation with Brigadier Maclean as opposed to Yugoslav-Bulgarian Federation at the present time. He went on to say that, although he did not exclude the possibility of an eventual extension of Yugoslav Federation at some period in the future, there was no question of either Bulgaria or Albania entering into any Federal Union with Yugoslavia at present.

In case of Bulgaria in particular, Tito was not ready for such a step. As he had pointed out to a Bulgarian delegation, which had visited him the day before with polite messages, the Bulgarians had on several occasions in the past, sworn eternal friendship to the Serbs but this had not prevented them from turning on them and massacring them at first opportunity. It would take the Serbs some time to forget the behaviour of Bulgaria in three wars. At the same time, there was no point in perpetuating such enmity and, if good relations could be achieved, it would be to everyone’s advantage.

Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs

Telegram 158 - London, January 26th, 1945

From the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs To the Secretary of State for External Affairs Canada