Jugoslavija i zemlje Magreba 1956–1958.
Yugoslavia and the Maghreb Countries 1956–1958

Author(s): Srđan Miletić
Subject(s): Diplomatic history, Political history, Post-War period (1950 - 1989), History of Communism, Cold-War History
Published by: Institut za noviju istoriju Srbije
Keywords: Yugoslavia; Tunisia; Morocco; Algeria; Maghreb; Non-Aligned Movement
Summary/Abstract: After the end of its conflict with the Soviet Union, the Yugoslav leadership attempted to take a new course in world politics. That course implied the establishment of contacts with newly-liberated countries of Asia and Africa, followed by their integration into the Non-Aligned Movement. Certain FPRY bodies maintained contacts with representatives of Tunisia and Morocco even before the proclamation of their inde pendence, but they were not of particular signifi cance and were restricted either to relations with communist parties of these countries or to cautious assistance to the movement for independence of Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Since Yugoslavia ran the risk of running afoul of France for supporting the Maghreb countries in their intentions, its contacts with Tunisia and Morocco until 1956 had to be more careful and limited. However, once they gained independence, there were no obstacles for the establishment of formal diplomatic relations and for the development of cooperation with the FPRY. The 1956–1958 period covered by this paper is not long, but in such a short time a fair level of cooperation with the Maghreb countries has been achieved, particularly with Tunisia, not only because it was geographically closest to Yugoslavia, but also due to its aspirations for a leading position in the Maghreb region. Algeria was in civil war at the time and in relation to this country Yugoslavia pursued special policy which was not substantially different from the policy toward Tunisia and Morocco until 1956. Talks conducted by the Yugoslav Ambassador in Paris, Aleš Bebler, as Minister Plenipotentiary, with the most important political fi gures of Tunisia and Morocco, during 1957, represented a valuable source of information and were a prelude to opening of Yugoslav diplomatic missions in these countries. The next step was expansion of bilateral cooperation at all levels, but that was the process which was carried out on a step-by-step basis and required more time.

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