DECLARATION BY TITO

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 9

DECLARATION BY TITO

BELGRADE, October 11. Marshal Tito said today that the time had come “openly and stoutly, to declare that Jugoslavia is ready to prevent a new betrayal of her interests.” He was speaking at Skoplje, capital of the Jugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on the twelfth anniversary of the Macedonian uprising. He declared that Jugoslav troops would enter Zone A of the Free Territory of Trieste the moment an Italian soldier sets foot in the zone. Marshal Tito referred to a speech he made yesterday at Lescovac, in which he announced that his troops

had marched back into Zone B of Trieste, from which they were withdrawn at the end of the war. .

He also said in his speech yesterday that Jugoslavia would regard the entry of Italian troops into Zone A—which the Western Allies are handing over to Italy—as an act of aggression.

“Not Clamouring or Jesting” “We had to tell the outside world that they had gone too far with their acts, that Jugoslavs are not clamouring or jesting, for behind their words stands the action of the whole Jugoslav people,” he said. “Moreover, yesterday I wanted to show clearly that the Jugoslav leaders do not trade with anyone- in this matter.” Addressing a crowd of 250,000, Marshal Tito accused Italy of wanting to interfere in the internal affairs of Albania, and wanting to gain a foothold on the Balkan Peninsula again. During the war the Italians intended taking part of Macedonia, he declared. “Today the Italians are spreading rumours about Jugoslavia’s plans against Albania,” he said. “They are not true. Jugoslavia only wants that Albania should be an independent country, and that only Albanian people are entitled to choose this regime. A „ “Jugoslavia will not allow anyone to interfere in Albania’s internal affairs, least of all My. Italy has nothing to do in the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkans belong to the people living there. The Italians should remain where they are.”