Yugoslavia
EDEN pointed out that the British Delegation had submitted a document on this question.
STALIN said that he thought they could not discuss this question without having the Yugoslavs present – at any rate they would be unable to achieve any results without them.
EDEN pointed out that they had agreed upon a declaration at Yalta although no Yugoslavs were present.
STALIN replied that Yugoslavia was an Allied country and that it was not possible to settle this matter without the Yugoslavs. When they had met at Yalta there had been two Yugoslav governments which could not reach agreement. Now there was one legitimate government and he proposed that the representatives of that government be called in.
CHURCHILL inquired if he meant Tito or Šubašić.
STALIN said they could call in anyone.
CHURCHILL said, however, that the Yugoslavs were in extreme disagreement.
STALIN said this was the first time he had heard of it. He proposed that they verify this and let the Yugoslavs tell them all about it.
THE PRESIDENT inquired whether the Prime Minister’s information was serious enough to warrant sending for the Yugoslav representatives.
CHURCHILL replied that it was a very serious matter and pointed out that at Yalta they had reached an agreement on this subject which had not been carried out; there had been no elections; the assembly (AVNOJ) has not been re-organized; juridical procedure has not been restored; Tito has imposed a strict party organization with police control and with the press almost as strictly controlled as in fascist countries. Yugoslavia has not in any way borne out the hope we had entertained at Yalta. We gave arms and support to Tito. We could not give much as we were heavily engaged but we gave all we could. He was very disappointed at the way things had turned out at the present time. The British proposal was a very modest one to restate what had been set at Yalta.
STALIN said that Mr. Churchill had passed to a discussion of the substance of the question but he had not answered whether he considered it worthwhile discussing the matter. If the President desired, he could make a statement on the substance of the question.
THE PRESIDENT asked him to do so.
STALIN said that the information given by Mr. Churchill in regard to the infringement of the Crimean decisions was unknown to us and does not agree with our information. Perhaps he is right; perhaps not, but he, Stalin, thought it would be useful to give the Yugoslavs a chance to reply to this accusation.
CHURCHILL pointed out that he had not made an accusation, but a complaint.
STALIN said I can agree to a discussion of the subject, but it is not possible to try the Yugoslav state without hearing its representatives.
CHURCHILL then stated that he had had time to think the matter over and that perhaps it would be useful to hear both sides – Tito and the other side separately. Perhaps they would be able to settle their difficulties. He inquired if Stalin thought they would be willing to come.
STALIN said he did not know but they could inquire of the Yugoslavs.
THE PRESIDENT said that he was here as a representative of the United States to discuss world affairs. He did not wish to sit here as a court to settle matters which will eventually be settled by the United Nations Organization. If we do that, we shall become involved in trying to settle every political difficulty and will have to listen to a succession of representatives, de Gaulle, Franco, and others. He did not wish to waste time listening to complaints but wished to deal with the problems which the three Heads of Government had come here to settle. If they could not do that their time was wasted.
STALIN said that this was a correct observation.
CHURCHILL said he wished to observe with great respect that the United States was very interested in the carrying out of the Yalta agreement. Great allowances had to be made for Tito, in view of the recent end of the war and the great disturbances in that country. The British memorandum merely expressed the wish that there be carried out the decisions which were made at the Crimean Conference. The President’s predecessor had attached importance to this matter and, if I recall correctly, much of the drafting of this declaration had been done by the Americans.
THE PRESIDENT said he desired to see the Yalta declaration carried out. “Insofar as the United States is concerned, I intend to carry it out to the letter.”
STALIN said that according to their information the Yalta agreement was being carried out.
THE PRESIDENT observed that complaints had also been received by his government. He thought that they could be passed on without the Yugoslavs.
CHURCHILL said that as the British paper had not met with support, he was prepared to withdraw it.
THE PRESIDENT suggested that it be postponed for a session or two.
CHURCHILL said that he wished to thank Stalin for his patience. If they could not settle their affairs here, where could they settle them?
STALIN replied that they could be settled here but that they should hear those who were concerned.
CHURCHILL said he was agreed but the President was opposed.
STALIN said that the matter must then be dropped for the time being.
British and American Oil Equipment in Rumania
CHURCHILL said that the British had submitted a paper on this subject which they thought the Foreign Ministers could discuss and perhaps reach agreement. They would, in any event, benefit from the discussion between the Foreign Ministers. He observed that it was a rather detailed question.
STALIN said he thought this was a trifling matter which could be settled through diplomatic channels without raising it at this conference. Since it had been brought up, however, he wished to rectify one misstatement. No British property had been taken by the Soviet Union in Rumania. The property of some of these oil companies had been obtained in Germany. The Germans had captured it and had used it against the Allies. We removed some quantity of this type because the Germans destroyed our oil industry. He had no objection to the question being referred to the Foreign Ministers, but it would be better to handle it through the usual diplomatic channels in order not to trouble the conference.
CHURCHILL stated that this was not a trifling matter. It was true that the Germans had stolen their pipe, which they had obtained from Germany, but they had paid for it. The British view was that if this pipe which was taken by the Soviet Union was considered as reparations, Rumania should reimburse the British for it. He inquired whether it would be agreeable if the Soviet and British representatives here got together to settle the matter.
THE PRESIDENT observed that the United States was also interested. There was a similar situation with regard to the Standard Oil Company and the Shell Company. Why would it not be possible to let the Foreign Ministers discuss the matter.
This was agreed to.
Meeting adjourned.