MACADONIA AND THE TITO-COMINFORM DISPUTE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R002100400004-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 5, 1999
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: December 3, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

%.1ASSIFICAi1ON S
CO' INTRY
Approved For Relea,Q949E
8 F R AT6
Yugoslavia/Bulgaria/Greece
/r, , ' ii, :s. 'IClAL: ONLY
A~WJZ0021
SUBJECT Macedonia and the Tito-Conform
Dispute
25X1A6a
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF I
NI ~?dlS R. s December 1348
NO. OF PAGES 2
NO. OF ENCIS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
1. The conflict between Tito and the Cominform is becoming more acute; the
Soviets., having an "indispensable necessity" for a corridor between
Bulgaria and Albania are making preparations to insure its realization.
Thus Macedonia is the focal point and both sides are undertaking different
measures and preparations.
2. The Soviets., for their part, have taken advantage of the traditional
differences between the Serbs and the Bulgars and in their widespread
propaganda are supporting the Bulgarian thesis for detaching Macedonia
from Yugoslavia in favor of establishing a separate Macedonian republic.
This republic would be either independent or joined to Bulgaria. In any
event, Macedonia would follow the Cominform policy and the Soviet Union
would have gn arantead for itself direct contact with Albania and with the
Greek Rebel Army.
3. In Rumania the Soviets have placed larger contingents f Russian troops on
the Yugoslav-Rumanian border and more units are arriving in Rumania pre--
sumably to exert greater pressure on Tito.
4. in Bulgaria, the Soviets have caused recent Bulgarian troop movements
towards the Yugoslav? border. Larger artillery units 15 kilometers south
of Gornja Dzumaja (Slmitli) have been observed and one artillery regiment
was transferred from Dupnice to the south. Near Krusa (12 kilometers
northeast of Dragomani) new troops have been noted which were not pre-
viously there, and two battalions of tanks have arrived in the Struiniea
Valley. One artillery regiment is stationed in Slivnica. The Soviets
have sent 40 carloads (between 10 to 15 tons per car) of "Katyushas" to
Patric via Sofia.
5. Tito's preparations, on the other hand, include counter-measures for pre-
serving Yugoslav prestige and strength in Macedonia. An epuration was
carried out in the . acedoniav. government and in the administration
(executive branch) of all pro-Cominform and pro-Bulgarian persons.
Epurations or transfers took place in Army units located in Macedonia.
The undesirable units were transferred to the north and replaced by
regiments composed of Serbs and Slovenes. Border troops and guards on the
Yugoslav Bulgarian border have been reinforced in line with overall security
precautions.
CLASSIFICATION SEC /CONTROL -- U.S. OF TS ONLY
Min Class.
DECLASSIFIED
Sys . . CHA:D TO:
TS < TS C
DDA 4 Air 77
Auth: PDI' 77 e 7 ^._,
2-00457RB$?42114 ,
pas By:
 Approved For Release
004-4
CENTRAL thh,MO WCE AGENCY
6e There is also a rumor to the effect that Tito has renewed contact with
General Uarkos and that the Yugoslav motorized units located near the
Greek border will give more support to the Markos guerrillas This aid
would time assure biarkos, inclination toward Tito in the event of difficulty
over Macedonia.
`/CONTRX - U . S . 0 '!AZ ONLY
Approved For Release 1999/09/08 : CIA-RDP82-fft457R002100400004-4
i