Tito’s Secret Police Chiefs Dismissed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 11

Tito’s Secret Police Chiefs Dismissed

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter— Copyright) BELGRADE, July 17. The head of Belgrade’s security service and his deputy yesterday became the latest victims of the purge of Jugoslavia’s secret police, who were sharply criticised by President Tito a fortnight ago.

Mr Slobodan Glumac and his assistant, Mr Slobodan Jovovic, were replaced by Mr Milisav Djuric, a member of the Serbian Communist Party Central Committee, and Mr Milan Zecevic, a high official in the Belgrade organisation of the Communist-led Socialist Alliance.

Urgent Reorganisation The Mayor of Belgrade, Mr Branko Pesic, told the City Assembly that the; changes were in line with decisions taken by the party’s Central Committee on July 1, which called for an urgent reorganisation of the State security service.

The committee suggested that officials from social-poli-tical organisations should be appointed to high posts in the state security service.

A widespread shake-up of Jugoslavia's party and Government leadership began 16 days ago when the Vice-Presi-dent, Mr Aleksandar Rankovic, announced his resignation after President Tito’s sharp criticism of the state security system.

Rumours have been circulating in Belgrade during the last 10 days about the dismissal of three assistants of the Minister of Internal Affair*. The name of Major-General Lika Bozovic, chief of security service attached to President Tito, was also mentioned in these rumours. Informed sources said General Bozovic was suspended from his duties, but they did not know the exact reason.