Between revolution and repression: Dragica Vitolovic Srzentic and the Yugoslav-Soviet split

This article tells the story of Dragica Vitolovic Srzentic (1912-2015), a partisan and revolutionary, who, after the liberation of Yugoslavia from fascism, received the most confidential tasks in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When relations between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia deteriorated in 1948, she was entrusted with delivering Josip Broz Tito’s letter to Stalin. As a result of this letter, Yugoslavia exited the Eastern Bloc, and the course of the Cold War in Europe took an unexpected turn. However, upon returning from Moscow, Dragica was accused of siding with the Soviets and sentenced to prison for several years. In 2007, she was rehabilitated by the court, and the renowned director Zelimir Zilnik made a film about her. In this article, the authors reconstruct key moments of her life, the historical context, and the content of her most confidential diplomatic mission, as well as subsequent accusations, legal processes and contemporary rehabilitation. This case study surpasses the personal fate of one woman and is of broader significance for the history of Yugoslavia and the Cold War. To that end, this article is of broader significance for three strands of literature: on women in intelligence and diplomatic services, the history of Yugoslavia, and the Cold War. It aims to surpass the sexist portrayal of women in intelligence by celebrating their important contributions to intelligence and diplomatic operations in various official and unofficial roles.