Distrustful Neighborhood : Yugoslavia and Greek Colonels, 1967-1974

Abstract

The article deals with a specific segment of the history of the Cold War in the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. The coup, organized in 1967 by rightwing officers, introduced Greece to the seven-year period of military dictatorship. The relations of the rigid, anti-Communist regime of Greek colonels with Yugoslavia and other Balkan communist neighbors were marked by the freezing down of political relations, by interrupting or by its deterioration in many areas. New situation caused in relations between Athens and Belgrade Yugoslavia, among other problems, the radicalization of the differences connected with the Macedonian issue. By 1974, the government in Belgrade had distanced itself from direct political relations on the highest level, supporting the Greek opposition in the country and abroad. On the other hand, Yugoslav authorities firmly refused any support for direct violent and propaganda action against Greece from Yugoslav territory. Support to the government of the Cypriot archbishop Makarios was also one of the points of sharp disagreement with the regime in Athens. Overthrowing of the colonel‘s regime after the protests of students and workers and the loss of support in the military circles was welcomed in Yugoslavia with enthusiasm and relief as an announcement of a normalization of relations.