Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Yugoslavia Vladimir Popovic, Mirko Bruner, and John C. Campbell

436 616 DEPARTMENT OF STATE S/S 225 Memorandum of Conversation DATE: August 3, 1951 and US-Yugoalav relations. DE SUBJECT: cork The Secretary Vladimir Popovie, Yugoslav Ambessador PARTICIPANTS: Mirko Bruner, First Secretary, Yugoslav Embassy John C. Campbell, EE s/s (2) EE - Balkan Affairs EUR - Mr. Perkins American Embassy, Belgrade COPIES TO: Mr. Bonbright E - Mr. Thorp s/ISA - Mr. Bell EE - Mr. Reinhardt Mr. Higgs Ambessador Popovic called at his request on his return from visit to Yugoslavia. He said that he wished to convey the gratitude and appreciation of Harshal Tito and the Yugoslav Government for the understanding which the US Government had shown for Yugoslavia and for the general improve- ment in relations between the two countries. He said that this feeling of appreciation WES felt by the people of Yugoslavia as well as the government. Military Assistance. The Ambessador stated that his government was pleased with the reception which had been given to General Koca Popovic in the US. He stressed the importance of Yugoslavia's immediate need for military equipment, stating that they had trained men ready to fight in case of en attack who need only more and better wespons to fight with. He reiterated that Yugoslavia would resist aggression from any quarter. Referring to the technical military talks scheduled to begin on August 6, he said that he hoped that the US look upon these talks from the political as well as the military viewpoint, having in mind Yugoslavia's present role in common efforts to maintain peace and deter aggression. I replied that we would certainly con- tinue to keep in mind the political aspects in the forthcoming discussions and in dealing with the entire problen of military assistance. On the latter subject I mentioned the Ambassedor's note of June 28 requesting arms aid. I said that the Department had been taking the necessary steps required by legislation, namely consultation with other Western governments and with certain committees of Congress, and that this was now nearly completed; consequently DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5-42-35 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Adg Bay NLI- HC. NARS Date 6.25.76