Telegram from President Harry S. Truman to Prime Minister Winston Churchill

CR 5001 NLT-229 D/T 30221 7 30 APRIL 1945 PRIORITY PERSONAL AND -TOP SECRET DECLASSITIED by authority of NUMBER 18 Sept gitter F.R. 1945 VILI P.1132 Litiols We Datef.7.73 s. TO: THE PRIME MINISTER is RENATIONAL SERVICES FROM: THE PRESIDENT YOUR NUMBER 22, APRIL 30. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT FIELD MARSHAL ALEXANDER HAS ALL THE GUIDANCE HE NEEDS IN FAN NUMBER 536 FROM THE COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF. I AGREE THAT IN THE OPERATIONAL PHASE WHEN HE IS ENDEAVORING TO ESTABLISH HIS LINES OF COMMUNICA- TION TO AUSTRIA AND TO ESTABLISH HIS CONTROL OVER TRIESTE AND POLA, THERE IS NO NEED FOR OBTAINING PRIOR RUSSIAN CONSENT. I NOTE FROM NAF 932 THAT BEFORE HIS TASK FORCE ENTERS VENEZIA GUILIA ALEXANDER WILL INFORM MARSHAL TITO OF HIS INTENTIONS AND EXPLAIN TO TITO THAT IF ANY OF HIS FORCES REMAIN IN THAT AREA THEY MUST NECESSARILY COME UNDER ALEXANDER'S COMMAND. FAN 536 DIRECTS ALEXANDER TO COMMUNI- CATE WITH THE COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF BEFORE TAKING FURTHER ACTION IN THE AREA IN QUESTION IF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES THERE FAIL TO COOPERATE. I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR I WISH TO AVOID HAVING AMERICAN FORCES USED TO FIGHT YUGOSLAV FORCES Gallwan OR BEING USED IN COMBAT IN THE BALKAN POLITICAL ARENA. Adu stark (SIGNED) TRUMAN.