Stability in Post-Tito Yugoslavia: Implications for US Policy

摘要

The question examined was with the mounting political, economic, ethnic and cultural problems as factors of instability, could Yugoslavia continue the policies of nonalignment, self-management, and independence. These factors were examined and their implication for US policy was further expanded. The evolution of the factors was historically traced to provide a background for understanding how these elements affect Yugoslavia today. The factors for instability: nationalism, politics and economics were examined along with the military, Yugoslav nonalignment movement, and US policy toward Yugoslavia. The study concluded: (1) Yugoslavia is of interest to the US for geostrategic reasons related to NATO's security; (2) for economic, political, and cultural reasons it is important that Yugoslavia remain independent to reduce the likelihood of her returning to the Soviet sphere of influence thus upsetting the balance of power in the Mediterranean; and (3) based on the above interest the US should foment political, economic, military and humanitarian policies to foster Yugoslav independence within the bounds of US integrity, values, and beliefs. The nationalistic animosities, coupled with a faltering economy, could trigger a Soviet attempt to bring back Yugoslavia to the Eastern bloc countries. Thus, American policies should be designed to prevent this from happening. (Author)