SLOVENE OPINION ON CHANGES IN TITO CELLS; PACKAGES FROM ABROAD; COMINFORMISTS; CENTRAL EUROPE CATHOLIC CONFEDERATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002700540003-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 13, 1999
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 20, 1949
• Content Type: IR

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Slovene Opinion on Changes in Tito Cells;
Packages From Abroad; Cominformists; Central
Europe Catholic Confederation
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Changes in Tito Cells
A complete transformation has occurred within the Tito cells in recent days.
The muddled thinking and inconsistencies, characteristic of cell activities
for months, have been supplanted by the following theses:
a. Yugoslavia lives in the center of Europe. It, therefore, must adapt
its approach to Socialism in accordance with the circumstances, ex-
perience and mentality of its people. That -which is possible in the
Soviet Union is not suitable for Central Europe and, particularly,
not applicable to the Balkans. Titoss Yugoslavia must adhere to a
socialism which conforms to the nature and spirit of the Balkans and
to its needs. The Soviets advocate a strong central government, while
Tito espouses decentralization and autonomy.
b. Socialization on the Soviet model is not appropriate for the Yugoslav
proletariat. Considerable criticism of and debate over this issue
prevails in the cells. Some go so far as to express open doubt that
Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism can provide a solution to the problem.
The success of the Marshall Plan concretely weakened and shook even
the faith of orthodox Marxists that Communism is their only salvation.
Anxiety is particularly evident among the Slovenes, and activist
lectures continue to prescribe patience, even to the full-fledged
Communists.
.Effectiveness of Packages
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2. There has been a great influx in food and clothing packages from the United
States, Canada, Australia and the Free Territory of Trieste to Yugoslavia
in recent months. Each package constitutes live concrete propaganda which
undermines the foundation of Communist promises, statistics on the progress
of the Five Year Plan, production contests and other contrived attractions
that bore the people. It marks the failure of state planning to bring any
tangible benefits to the individual.
3. Government officials are markedly disturbed about the publicity these
packages have received. They dare not take any steps against the practice,
however, for it is in full swing and benefits all classes of the population.
It is estimated that the spring economic crisis will be overcome solely by
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cAiis friendly aid. Furthermore, this assistance is more effective than
government distribution of fcreign relief, which usually entails in-
efficiency, official corruption and favoring of certain elements. Over-
whelmed by a plethora of political and economic problems, the regime,
itself, cannot risk prohibiting the entry of packages. The distribution
of "imperialist gifts" is of intense concern to the Tito cell. Never-
theless, the supporters of such aid are increasing daily,
Current Attitude Toward Western Powere
_ _ _ ? , _ _ . _ _ . .
4. Cell discussions frequently center on the theme of cooperation with the
estern Powers. In general the conclusion reached is that, in the current
situation, economic collaboration is unavoidably necessary. More significant,
however, is that many cell members now advocate political cooperation, to
spite the Soviet Union and demonstrate that the Balkan "angels" refuse to
forget. This feeling prevails primarily among Serb Communists. Apart from
the cells, the general belief is that Tito, sooner or later, will negotiate
political agreements with the Westo To expedite this, all that is required
is that the Cominform become more aggressive and the Western Allies,
simultaneously, employ more conciliatory and skillful maneuvers towards
Tito.
Attitude Towards Cominformists
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5. Foremost on the daily schedule of the Tito cells is the Cominform question.
Veritable baiting of Cominformists takes place in some regions. Orthodox
Titoiets label Cominformists as Yugoslavia's worst enemies and treat them
as such. Though they believe they have stopped them, the conjecture
remains that the Cominformists have prudently retreated while their ranks
continue to grow in the underground.
6. Incidents of sabotage have subsided. The anti-Tito campaign is now directed
to the publication of special propaganda outside Yugoslavia,. Some of the
Tito cells observe thic manifestation as possibly a preparation for a
surprise attack. Others hold to the opinion that the Soviet Union, for the
time being, has deserted the European arena, while concentrating its
attention on the East. Furthermore, some believe that it has become evident
to the Soviets that a simultaneous cold war offensive on both fronts has
been damaging, bringing more harm than good. These same cells conclude
that the Soviet Union was overwhelmed by the Atlantic Pact and that the
. Communist Parties of the West showed themselves completely inept in the
face of it,
Cell Reactions
7. Many Tito followers believed that mass demonstrations against the Atlantic
Pact would dissuade Italy, at least, from signing, while some counted on
France to renege. The battle, they say, is not lost, however, for the
Western Communists are reserving their heaviest weapons for the days of the
ratification of the Pact. Others entirely have renounced the possibility
of the Western Communists still dealing an effective blow in retaliation.
Among those said to have given way to despair, is the Kremlin itself.
According to the Cominform, Tito is also to blame for this defeat, for
Yugoslavia offered only formal newspaper agitation against the Atlantic
Pact.
It is significant that in the Tito cells economic reconciliation with
Italy i's recommended enthusiastically. Many look upon Italy as the fateful _
mediator between Tito and the western world. They excuse Vilfange obvious
anti-Italian position in the UNO on the restoration of Italy's colonies,
with the statement that it is too early to open an anti-Soviet course in
foreign policy. Further, they add, this momentary anti-Italian stand is
merely a move to counter the attacks in antagonistic Italian newspapers on
Pita' s. demands for Carinthia. .
9. The question of compromising with "reactionary" countries also inspires
debates in the Tito cells. Cone' eeatIon is defended with the argument
that the worst reactionaries already have been removed. Some cell members
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present day society. Unsolicited hostility against the Roman Catholic
clergy is growing, for Communist extremists still do not believe that any
compromise with the Vatican is possible.
Central European Catholic Confederation
10. Word of an underground movement under the direction of the former SLS
(Slovene People's Party) has given rise to considerable comment. It is
generally held that the SLS adherents have returned to the old "separatism",
which brings out of the closet again the theory of a Catholic Central
Europe. The initiative for this impossible revival is imputed to the
Vatican, and has aroused disesteem for the Church, even in anti-Communist
circles. In the main, however, the clericals in Yugoslavia have declared
themselves against a vivisection of the country because they feel that only
by preserving the national form, can they look forward to full protection of
the rights of the Slovene people.
U. Many believe that the Americans, particularly the Catholic elements, also
support this separatist effort, it should be mentioned here that reports
on the SLS proclamation for a Catholic Central Europe have indicated a
considerable lack of unanimity, even among the clericals. The announce-
ment of such propositions are extremely dangerous in these times. The
thought generally prevails -among Yugoslays that all anti-Communist move-
ments must work together, based on the concept of an undivided Yugoslavia,
for only such a formation can guarantee peace in this part of Europe.
A federated Yugoslavia is politically and economically closest to the
natural and ethnic conditions of the territory which it embraces.
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