COMINFORM SAID TO HAVE FAILED IN OUSTING TITO

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1949, Page 6

COMINFORM SAID TO HAVE FAILED IN OUSTING TITO

LONDON, August 16.—The Russian Charge d’Affaires in Belgrade said today that Russia had no intention of breaking off diplomatic relations with Jugoslavia and that a hew ambassador would be named to , replace Mr Anatoli Lavrentiev, who is' already in Moscow as a new DeputyForeign Minister. “In spite of the curtailment of economic relations and of high power propaganda compaigns the Cominform has failed in its declared object of ousting Marshal Tito,’.’- says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. “In fact, recent developments indicate that the initiative is passing to Marshal Tito. Observers in London regard the appointment as a Soviet Deputy-Foreign Minister of Mr Lavrentiev as an admission that Moscow’s year-old campaign against Marshal Tito has failed, and that an infusion, of new blood is needed. “Mr Lavrentiev probably has a greater first-hand knowledge of pre-sent-day Jugoslavia than any other high Soviet official. With him in a key position in the Kremlin it would be reasonable to suppose that Soviet policy towards Marshal Tito is being recast in the light of Mr Lavrentiev’s experience. “The recent developments which indicate that Marshal Tito’s position is improving are: “(1) the agreement with Italy, by which Marshal Tito, once surrounded by potential enemies, has secured his rear.

“(2) The easing of the position on his flanks. Jugoslavia has signed an agreement Hungary to prevent border incidents once numerous. Albania, on the other hand, has been pre-occupied with the Greek fighting. “(3) Marshall Tito has recently returned from a much publicised visit to Macedonia which has focused attention on the idea of a united pro-Jugoslav republic of Macedonia, which has a strong emotional appeal to Slav Macedonians. Marshal Tito has backed up this campaign by stationing crack Croat troops in the Jugoslav part of Macedonia and by fostering reports of 30,000 refugees gathered from Bulgaria in Greek Macedonia. “The appointment of Mr Lavrentiev may have been made, observers think, to formulate Moscow’s answer to this challenge.”