Issue: 2/2019

Western Military Aid to Yugoslavia in the Context of Yugoslav-Italian Relations, 1951-1954

Authors:
Miljan Milkić

Download full articele PDF

A bilateral agreement on military assistance was signed between the Yugoslav and U.S. governments after months of negotiations on 14 November 1951. The agreement marked the beginning of the military as sistance program. The goal of economic and military assistance from the United States, Britain, and France was to eliminate economic hardship and strengthen Yugoslavia's defense capabilities. Yugoslavia was a significant partner in the creation of defense plans, but Italy was a NATO member and bound by contractual obligations with other NATO members. The governments of the USA, Great Britain, and France had an interest in helping Yugoslavia, but had to align their interests with the interests of the Italian government. The deteriorating Yugoslav‐Italian relations led Western countries to approach the military assistance program to Yugoslavia with caution. This was because Yugoslavia, despite the conflict with Italy, was part of the military assistance program due to its strategic position and the respectable strength of the Yugoslav Army. The formation of a regional military alliance between Yugoslavia and two NATO countries (Greece and Turkey) had a positive impact on the advancement of Yugoslav‐U.S. military cooperation. The importance of resolving the issue of the Trieste crisis from a military point of view was often emphasized in discussions with representatives of the Yugoslav government.