Description:
This working paper provides a basis for the discussion of the political influences on lethal activities of Yugoslav state security services against militant émigrés in Western countries. In a first step, it outlines the development of the state security organization. This leads to the problems of political control. The paper shows that there was dissent among Yugoslav top politicians regarding the killing of apparently dangerous opponents abroad. It focuses on two ministers of the interior (Franjo Herljević from 1974-82 and Stane Dolanc from 1982-84), presenting controversial standpoints about the application of deadly means in the West. Also considered is Yugoslavia's international position between the superpowers which gave political leaders the background for the belief that their country was affected by a "special war".