Britain And U.S.— Close Watch Kept On Events In Jugoslavia

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1949, Page 5

Britain And U.S.— Close Watch Kept On Events In Jugoslavia

LONDON, September 1 (Rec. 10 a.m.).—Both the British Foreign Office and the United States State Department are closely watching the increasing pressure being exerted on Jugoslavia by Russia and the Cominform countries and might support public discussion of Soviet policy in the United Nations. So far no indication has been given, as to whether or not Jugoslavia will raise the matter in the Security Council.

London observers do not believe that anything like a policy of military underwriting Tito, as has been done for the Greek Government is yet in sight. It is still the official view in London that the Soviet is not planning a military invasion of Jugoslavia, either by the use of its own or of Hungarian, Bulgarian and Rumanian forces.

There is no doubt that the recent accounts of more Soviet troops beingsent to Hungary have created the impression that the war of nerves is being pushed to unusual lengths. The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr Tsaldaris, said today that he thought the Communist tactics used in Greece would be repeated in Jugoslavia. “I visualise a kind of secret war carried on by Jugoslav Communists. Moscow will pull the strings, the same as in the rebillion which has ravaged northern Greece during the last three years,” he added.