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

196. Telegram From the Embassy in Yugoslavia to the Department of State¹

4199.

Belgrade, May 25, 1982, 1149Z

SUBJECT

• Yugoslav Interest in F–5G.

1. S—Entire text.

2. I understand that a meeting of the National Disclosure Policy Review Committee will be convened in Washington on May 27. The agenda is reported to include an attempt to reverse the decision reached on January 28, 1982, to authorize briefings and discussions between Northrop and the GOY concerning the possible future marketing in Yugoslavia of the F–5G–2 aircraft.²

3. The strong interest expressed in the F–5G by senior YAF officials including its chief, Lt. Col. Gen. Kulenovic, is creating for us an historic opportunity to reverse 28 years of Yugoslav military reliance on Soviet aviation technology. Nothing has occurred to change U.S. interests or U.S. policy toward Yugoslavia in the five months since the decision was reached to authorize Northrop to discuss the F–5G with the Yugoslavs. On the contrary, it remains in the U.S. national interest to diminish Yugoslavia’s reliance on the Soviet Union for night technology weapons. Yugoslav reliance on appropriate levels of U.S. military aviation technology would bolster Yugoslavia’s independence, thereby strengthening NATO’s southern flank, continuing to deny the Soviets access to the Mediterranean, and enhancing stability in this strategically sensitive area of Europe.

4. The rationale for our overall policy of expanding contact and cooperation between the U.S. and Yugoslav military establishments has been set forth repeatedly in high-level USG policy documents. It was most recently reaffirmed by President Reagan when he confirmed U.S. arms transfer policy toward Yugoslavia on June 1, 1981.³ The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs in a memorandum to the Secretary of Defense of that date stated, inter alia, “This administration views a militarily capable Yugoslavia as a key element in preventing Soviet expansionism and hegemony in southern Europe.” That Presidential memorandum further directed concerned U.S. agencies “to be forthcoming in approving sales of arms and equipment required for Yugoslav defensive needs as circumstances warrent.”

5. I wish to emphasize in the strongest possible terms that it is in the U.S. national interest to proceed, as currently authorized, with discussion of the F–5G aircraft with the Yugoslav Air Force. I trust that the National Disclosure Policy Committee will reaffirm the existing authorization.

Anderson

1. Source: Reagan Library, Robert H. Lilac Files, Arms Transfer: Country File, AT: Yugoslavia [January 1982–08/01/1982]. Secret; Immediate. Sent Immediate for information to the Department of Defense for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy.
2. No records of these discussions were found.
3. See Document 191.