The Hindu : dated March 24, 1953: Tito's visit to London

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Monday, Mar 24, 2003

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dated March 24, 1953: Tito's visit to London

From the Editorials: "Marshal Tito's visit to Britain would have enabled Western leaders to have a valuable estimate of the changes in the Kremlin. Tito is still a Communist, though he is trying to temper his regime with democratic practices. With him is associated the greatest heresy after Trotsky in the Soviet world. But unlike unfortunate Trotsky, Tito has the support of a freedom-loving nation and a sizeable army trained in guerilla warfare. Tito's strength and the strategic position of Yugoslavia attract the attention of the West. In the last five years America and Britain have given military equipment and economic aid to Tito to support his regime which had stopped the march of the Soviet to the Adriatic. In the context of the changes in the Kremlin, Tito's opinion on regimes in Soviet satellite countries would have been valuable. If there is unrest in Albania and Bulgaria, or if there is to be Soviet intervention in these countries, the part that Yugoslavia plays will be of decisive importance.

In a world of power blocs, calculating such strategic considerations is paramount. The discussions with Tito were naturally riveted on the possibilities of the role that Yugoslavia can play in the defence of South-Eastern Europe. Yugoslavia's foreign policy is one of non-involvement in power blocs, and she has pursued an independent line at the United Nations. But, placed in a strategic corner of Europe, Tito's nation has to face realities and ensure her own security. She became a party to the recently concluded Balkan Entente providing for military consultations between her and Greece and Turkey. This regional alliance for mutual security has considerable value. The Western Powers, though pleased with this development, were anxious to bring Yugoslavia more firmly into their camp.

While Turkey and Greece are members of NATO, Yugoslavia is not. Neither does it look as if she is willing to be openly associated with the NATO. That this question was discussed at length is apparent from the Yugoslav Foreign Minister's remarks, as well as the terms of the joint communiqué. M. Popovic said they felt quite frankly they could be more useful from outside.

In other words, while circumstances have dictated to Yugoslavia the need to ensure her security by seeking assistance from the Western Powers, she does not want to be irrevocably identified with the Western camp and has hopes to play the role of a mediator.

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dated March 24, 1953: Tito's visit to London