Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume X, Eastern Europe

186. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to President Reagan¹

Washington, March 30, 1981

SUBJECT

• Confirmation of U.S. Arms Transfer Policy Toward Yugoslavia

In recent years, the Yugoslavs have turned to the U.S. and other Western countries for assistance in lessening their dependence on the Soviet Union for sophisticated military equipment, and the U.S. has responded by approving appropriate arms for sale to Yugoslavia. We would like your approval to continue this effort.

Yugoslavia occupies a key piece of territory which, if controlled by the Soviets, could split NATO’s southern flank and endanger our control of the Mediterranean. The Yugoslavs are determined to maintain their independence and have pressed the U.S. in recent years to sell them necessary arms. They are especially interested in the areas of anti-tank, anti-air and coastal defense weapons which would be critical for deterring or defeating Soviet attack. We and our Allies have been forthcoming in responding to Yugoslav requests for these arms, but tight Yugoslav fiscal constraints have prevented them from availing themselves fully of our offers. Nevertheless, continuation of the present policy would retain the potential for Yugoslavia to lessen its dependence on the Soviet Union while simultaneously improving its defensive capability against the Soviet/Pact threat.

Present U.S. arms transfer policy is based on the attached documents.² There is an interagency consensus at the policy level that our arms transfer policy toward Yugoslavia serves U.S. strategic interests and should continue. Its central elements are:

— To support the independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Yugoslavia.

— To examine Yugoslav requests on a case-by-case basis and to be forthcoming in approving sales of arms and equipment required for Yugoslav defensive needs as circumstances warrant.

— To expand further the International Military Education and Training program for Yugoslavia commensurate with Yugoslav desires, U.S. disclosure policies, and available funds, and

— To encourage our Western European Allies, especially the British, French, Germans and Italians, to follow similar policies.

Your affirmation of these key elements would remove any doubts about the continuation of our present policy. A prompt decision is necessary since the Yugoslavs would interpret any pause in the military relationship as signaling a major change in U.S. policy.

We have discussed this with Defense. Secretary Weinberger concurs in this memorandum.

RECOMMENDATION

That you confirm that you wish us to continue our present policy as outlined above.³

1. Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Yugoslavia—Military (2). Secret; Sensitive.
2. Not found attached. According to a list at the end of the memorandum, the attachments were a September 22, 1977, White House memorandum and telegram 6062 to Belgrade, January 9, 1980.
3. The “Approve” option was checked.