SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS - Part 03

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Rec’d 2:30 p.m.

Telegram 200 - London, January 2, 1945

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

CIRCULAR D. 200

My telegram circular D. 1 of January 1st.

United Kingdom Charge d’Affairs, Moscow, conveyed our views on subject of Yugoslav-Bulgarian Federation as instructed. In reply, Soviet Government have stated that they are aware that negotiations between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria for conclusion of a Pact of Alliance and Mutual Assistance are proceeding, and that their attitude towards this is favourable. They consider, however, that question of a Balkan Federation and in particular of a Yugoslav-Bulgarian Federation is “not at present actual and is of no practical importance”.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Telegram 217 - London, February 5th, 1945

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

CIRCULAR D. 217

My telegram circular D. 33 of January 5th.

Macedonia

Brigadier MacLean reports that on January 30th General Tempo spoke in Belgrade on the Partisan Movement in Macedonia. He admitted that certain ill feelings still existed there between Macedonians and Serbs. This was legacy of the former policy of Serb centralism. (Recent reports received by Brigadier MacLean’s Mission in Macedonia confirm friction between Macedonians and Serbs).

2. Tempo implied that a united Yugoslav, Greek and Bulgarian Macedonia was the ultimate natural culmination of the legitimate aspirations of the Macedonian people, but condemned Bulgarian irredentists who were trying to ensure that Yugoslavia should not command the areas lost by Bulgaria.

3. General Tempo stated that Greek Macedonians who had joined forces with EAM/ELAS and taken part in the Greek Liberation Movement had done so on four conditions;

(a) Retention of Macedonian fighting units within ELAS. (b) Retention of their own political organization. (c) Administration by Macedonians of territory liberated by themselves. (d) Ultimate right of self-determination including the right to secede, from or join any State of their own choice.

Tempo asserted that EAM and ELAS had not respected those conditions and so Greek Macedonian forces decided to cross into Yugoslav territory.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Telegram 423 - London, March 9th, 1945

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

CIRCULAR D. 423

My telegram circular D. 388 of 3rd March, paragraph 6.

United States Government have now informed us they share our opinion that it would not be desirable for Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria particularly, since the latter country is still an enemy state, to enter into a Pact of Mutual Assistance or other international agreement of a political character during the armistice period.

2. United States Government are accordingly informing Soviet and Yugoslav Governments of their views. They would, however, prefer to await an expression of Soviet Government view before discussing this question with Bulgarian authorities.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Rec’d 2:30 a.m., March 10th.

Telegram 437 - London, March 13th, 1945

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

CIRCULAR D. 437

My telegram circular D. 423 of March 9th.

It was hoped that M. Molotov would let us know his Government's views on the Yugoslav-Bulgarian Pact at the Crimea Conference. However, as this was not possible (see my telegram Circular No 316 of February 20th), discussions will now take place between M. Molotov and United Kingdom and United States Ambassadors in Moscow.

2. United Kingdom Ambassador, Moscow, has accordingly been instructed to take part in the discussion on the lines of paragraph 2 of my telegram Circular D. 1 of January 1st and to make following two further points:

(a) We still wish to learn the Soviet Government's views on an enlarged Macedonia, and (b) We think it is important that the Bulgarian Government should be made aware at an early date of our views on the question of a Yugoslav-Bulgarian Pact. Though we would prefer a three Power communication to Bulgaria, United Kingdom Ambassador is to inform M. Molotov if he does not agree to this suggestion, or if discussions become unduly prolonged, that we shall be obliged, to make a communication on our own.

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS

Rec’d 1:48 p.m.