Yugoslavia and the Soviet Policy of Force in the Mediterranean Since 1961.
Abstract
Yugoslavia has an important, although not a paramount, role in supporting the Soviet naval presence in the Mediterranean, through granting Soviet combatants and auxiliaries access to its naval ship repair facilities. However, from the outset it played a crucial role, and still does, in the Soviet quick-reaction and crisis-related airlift of arms and material over its territory. It is the intention of this report to describe and analyze how politico-military cooperation between Belgrade and Moscow began and developed after 1961, when the matter of granting access to Yugoslav ports and ground air facilities and overflight rights was first raised. Also, changes over time are explained and an analysis attempted of the similarity or identify of ideological, political, economic and military interests that made cooperation between Belgrade and Moscow and other 'progressive' Arab regimes. Some of the internal developments and crises in Yugoslavia that affected relations between Belgrade and Moscow are described. Finally, the changing attitudes and policies of the Yugoslav leadership toward the Soviet and U.S./NATO military presence, respectively, are discussed, because these implicitly justified Belgrade's support of Moscow's policy of force in the Mediterranean.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA106190
Entities
People
- Milan N. Vego
Organizations
- Center for Naval Analyses