Tito's Achievement
No European country's evoltition deserves closer study than Yugoslavia's, to which the recent visit of Mr. Harriman lends particular-interest. The strategic importance of Yugoslavia in the event of a European war needs no demonstration, but we are not required at present to talk in terms of war. It is as an element of stability in a peculiarly unstable corner of Europe that Yugo- slavia may assume greater, and increasing, importance. It is in that belief that, as announced on Wednesday, Marshal Tito's Government has been allotted by the United States economic aid in a first instalment of close on 30,000,000 dollars, with smaller contributions from Britain and France to follow. No political conditions are attached to these grants, and none should be. Yugoslavia remains resolutely Communist, and no one questions her right to, however much the continued imprisonment of Archbishop Stepinac and other victims of a strange form of justice may be regretted. There is indeed considerable value in a demonstration of what Communism untainted by Russian im- perialism is. At the same time the extreme rigours of doctrinaire Communism are being visibly relaxed in Yugoslavia and cultural contacts with the West are being increasingly welcomed. Last week's athletic contest between 'Britain and Yugoslavia was significant and useful, and the prospective visit of Sir Hartley Shawcross—as a distinguished lawyer rather than a distinguished politician—should be of equal service. Yugoslavia still lives in the midst of external perils, but she is intrinsically stronger; both militarily and economically, than when they first threatened her, and her détente with Greece is an advantage to both countries. Her freedom and independence are not calculated to satisfy her Sovietised neighbours increasingly with their lot.
Previous page
