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Traces of the Yugoslav Arms Trade and a Few Fishy Stories Connected with It

Abstract

Based on the memories of a few leading Yugoslav military servicemen, the article presents certain practices that were common in the global arms trade, but which did not necessarily fit the ideological framework of the Second Yugoslav state. The susceptibility of state officials to corruption in the developing countries often facilitated arms deals, and the Yugoslav arms trade followed patterns that were based on a non-aligned policy and that were becoming increasingly inefficient. One ideological problem was the commission payment that opened every door and made competitive business possible. This commission was obviously seen as unacceptable and immoral, if pragmatic; however, using “modern marketing methods” was essential for survival in the market. The arms trade and accompanying services contributed twice as much to the Yugoslav budget as tourism; consequently, refusal to recognize the commission/bribery concept in the 1980s was no longer an option.