Istorija 20. Veka (Feb 2015)
Tršćanska kriza 1974. i pogoršanje jugoslovensko-američkih odnosa
Abstract
This article analyzes of renewed border dispute between Yugoslavia and Italy in 1974, and its impact on the Yugoslav-American relations. The US approach to the Yugoslav-Italian dispute in 1974 about the border issue 1974 in the former Zone B, seriously jeopardized the relatively positive trend of relations between Belgrade and Washington, established during the period after Nixon’s first visit to Belgrade in 1970 and Tito’s visit to Washington in 1971. The appearance of the US Sixth Fleet in large Italian maneuvers in the northern Adriatic, near Trieste, Belgrade interpreted as a deliberate provocation and American support for Italian territorial claims against Yugoslavia. The Americans sharply reacted on the campaign that was waged in the Yugoslav press against the United States, and its support for Italy. The State Department had a strong belief that both sides, knowingly contribute to the escalation of the conflict, because of the internal problems. On one hand in Yugoslavia, conflict was used for artificial strengthening of unity among the republics and in Italy for temporary support to its „shaky government.“ Actualization of those dilemmas regarding the long-term sustainability of the tentative decision regarding Trieste and border issues, complicated the Yugoslav relations with Italy which was its key economical partner, as well as cooperation with the United States, without which it was difficult to sustain Yugoslav policy of equidistance towards the opposing Blocks. The fact was that both, the Yugoslav, and American officials, were partly right and partly not in their attitude. This notion contributed to calming of this dispute in the moment when the Yugoslav-Italian negotiations started, on the definitive demarcation which resulted in signing of the Osimo agreement.
