JUGOSLAV UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25552, 3 June 1944, Page 7

JUGOSLAV UNITY

EFFORTS OF KING PETER NEW GOVERNMENT FORMED RUGBY, June 1> The Jugoslav Prime Minister, M. Purich, has resigned, and King Peter has entrusted Dr Ivan Subasic, Governor of Croatia, with the formation of a new Government. In a proclamation to the peoples of Jugoslavia, King Peter urges unity against the common foe and postponement of all internal political issues until after the liberation of the country, when the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes will be “free to express their will regarding internal organisation of the State in which they desire to live in the future.” King Peter, in his declaration, promised the Serbs, the Croats, and the Slovenes that he would make contact with all resistance elements in Jugoslavia before a new Jugoslav Government was finally formed under Dr Subasic. He pledged himself and the Government to the liberation of the country. King Peter told the British United Press that Dr Subasic was going to Bari to open negotiations. Mikhailovich would also be asked to send a representative to Bari. King Peter said: “ I believe Mikhailovich will agree to collaborate with Tito. If he does not, then his value to- Jugoslavia is finished. Mikhailovich will be instructed to start fighting the Germans. If there is evidence that the Chetnik commanders or Mikhailovich are collaborating with tb? Germans, they will be black-listed. We want everyone to fight the Germans.” King Peter expressed the opinion that there was little chance of Tito and Mikhailovich working side by side at the same headquarters, but. there was a good chance of both forces collaborating in an all-out fight against the Germans. Commenting on King Peter s call to Dr Subasic to form a new Government, the British United Press comments that for some time he has been working to establish a Government more representative of Jugoslavia. He hopes to establish liaison with Marshal Tito, thus reuniting the various Jugoslav forces.